Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan

The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley with Marietje Schaake Mar 03, 2025

Marietje Schaake is a Fellow at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center and Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. As a Dutch politician, she also served as a member of the European Parliament from the Netherlands between 2009 and 2019. She was appointed to the United Nations High-Level Advisory Body on AI in 2023. With the announcement that Donald Trump would seek peace talks with Russia first without including Ukraine, and while U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance scolded Europe about free speech at the Munich Security Conference, many have said that we are seeing an end to the transatlantic alliance as it has been known since WWII. Schaake agreed with this concern and stated that not only is this an ending of an alliance, but that the U.S. has become an adversary to the European Union (E.U.). She explained that Vance’s speech, a week before the German election, was meant to boost the far-right Alternatives for Germany party at a precarious time. Schaake explained that while Vance portrayed Europe’s protection of speech as a lack of freedoms, she feels it is a trap to narrowly view the debate about social media and its harms through the lens of free speech. “On the one hand, European countries have very far-reaching protections of freedom of expression. It’s slightly different from the First Amendment, but it’s definitely widely protected. The whole idea that free speech is not protected in European countries is nonsense,” Schaake said. With Elon Musk taking over more and more of our government every day and ousting anyone who is not a strict loyalist, many have begun to ask when the right to free speech will falter. Join us for this vitally important conversation.

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Tools, Methods, and Political Games in the Age of Musk with Stuart Shulman, PhD Feb 24, 2025

Elon Musk, a corporate billionaire and private naturalized American citizen born in South Africa, has taken an extraordinary amount of power in government since Donald Trump took office as President less than a month ago. Musk is seeking to interfere with elections in Germany and other countries around the world. Vance recently told European leaders to allow more “free speech” but what that means is use of social media and media to push authoritarianism. Dr. Stuart Shulman holds a PhD in American Politics and has done extensive teaching and leadership roles in collaborative interdisciplinary research. Additionally, as founder and CEO of Texifter, he discussed the analysis of Twitter data, his work supporting academic access to data, and federal agency review of public comments on proposed rules. Stuart and I discussed how Twitter was gamified through QAnon since 2017. He tracked QAnon, a tale of a high-up government official with a “Q-level” clearance covering nuclear weapons and related materials and tweeting about supposed confidential information. Coded language and “crumbs” were then created to entice signaling, and Trump often alluded to this through tweets. Stuart noted that in a December 1-12, 2017, dataset with 2.3 million mentions of Michael Flynn, “#followthewhiterabbit” and “the Great Awakening” and other QAnon buzzwords in the Tweets. Stuart noted how the Alternate Reality Gaming (ARG) characters often have made-up names and emojis and could have come from anywhere in the world, including Russia, China, India, and other nations that may not have the best interests of voters and citizens in western democracies.

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Invisible Threads: Weaving Mental Health and Democracy in Trump Times with Kate Woodsome Feb 17, 2025

Kate Woodsome is the founder of The Invisible Threads Project, which studies the relationship between mental health and democracy. We talked about the recent election of Trump and the support for that process from the Heritage Foundation, Opus Dei implications, and Project 2025. She was part of The Washington Post team who won a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in coverage of the January 6th Capitol attack. Woodsome left The Washington Post in 2023, stating in her biography that she could no longer normalize the trauma, burnout, and moral injury pervasive in the industry. She noted in our discussion that her childhood contained abuse and trauma that the Capitol attack would reawaken. Once able to rely on being a workaholic who pushed through, she decided to take a step back and focus on healing and the rediscovery of self-identity and self-worth. This eventually allowed her to return to focus on social movements. She covered The People’s March on January 18th, 2025, and then went on to speak with Trump supporters outside of the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., following his inauguration. “What I’m really trying to focus on is civil discourse and looking at the underlying roots of our problems, as opposed to their ugly symptoms,” said Woodsome.We discussed looking for opportunities with family and friends to find common ground and common beliefs. We also discussed empowering people to think for themselves. Not everyone is as radicalized, and fringe members may not fully understand the beliefs and practices of the core community.

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On Offense: Taking Action to Prevent Further Assaults to Democracy with Kristofer Goldsmith Feb 10, 2025

Kristofer Goldsmith is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit group Task Force Butler Institute, which trains veterans in research and operations to counter extremism. He is an Iraq combat veteran, accomplished public policy advocate, nonprofit leader, and expert on the threats posed by domestic extremist organizations that work against Democracy. His group focuses on gathering intelligence on dangerous individuals and hate groups while also teaching the skills and context necessary to keep veterans and communities safe. Like me, Kris couldn’t believe Trump gave pardons to the violent #Jan6th insurrectionists serving time in jail for their crimes against America. We both believe we are in World War III and fighting fascism at home. Musk, Thiel and other billionaires are on the record that they dont believe in democracy of upholding the Constitution nor do they want to help the USA remain a superpower. They are busy with NeoTech conspiracy to take over the world and dismante our administrative state using the Heritage Foundation’s 2025 playbook. Kris is a patriot and has inspired many vets to step up with him to oppose what is being done to us. You will find this a fascinating conversation and be heartened that he is a courageous person stepping up to do defend our country.

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Tuning In: Experiencing Music in Psychedelic States, a new book by former Hare Krishna devotee Steven J. Gelberg Feb 03, 2025

This interview had two foci: ISKCON and Tulsi Gabbard’s Connection to Krishna Hinduism and his new academic book on music and its role in psychedelics states. Gelberg was a Krishna devotee for 17 years and has written about his experiences with the cult and why he exited. He is now a successful photographer and author. We discussed the more recent finding that Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by Trump to be Director of National Intelligence, shows ties to Krishna Hinduism and ISKCON. Chris Butler, who is the guru of Tulsi Gabbard, was a disciple of the Krishna movement and Prabhupada. The group is known for its homophobia. “The Krishna movement also is very misogynistic. They try to hide that. They don’t like talking about it. They know it's not popular, but if you go to Prabhupada's books, he repeats what he learned from the Hindu tradition about women being lesser and needing to be always under the control of a man and less spiritually adept than men are” Steven said. He then expressed concerns about ties with this organization and what that may mean by Gabbard’s beliefs around these topics. In addition to his spiritual and academic education after leaving the cult, Gelberg continued to tune into an evolving “Psychedelic Renaissance” as the government began to loosen regulations allowing for legitimate clinical studies and inspiring the creation, by growing numbers of colleges and universities, of programs and centers for the study of psychedelics and their therapeutic effects.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld with Dr. Christine M. Cocchiola and Amy Polacko Jan 27, 2025

Ever hear the term coercive control? Did you know the UK government made it a crime? It is the application of undue influence methods and techniques used by a person, typically a man against a partner to do what I have been calling mind control- as in my BITE Model. However, women especially need to know what the techniques are and how to navigate a family court system in the USA which is largely ignorant and children and women are being greatly harmed. Dr. Cocchiola holds a doctorate in social work, is a licensed clinical social worker, is a tenured college professor, and is an expert in coercive control as is Amy Polacko, an award-winning journalist and investigative reporter, and divorce coach.Their excellent book is a resource for women going through divorce, married women noticing early warning signs, and those considering marriage, offering practical advice and raising awareness of systemic challenges.Despite persistent myths that women are more often favored, family courts can be gender-biased, and some women who report abuse encounter even harsher outcomes. The authors aim to inspire reform in family court practices and contribute to future legislative efforts to protect women from abusive legal dynamics.

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Research on Folks Who Left the Headquarters of the Jehovah’s Witnesses with Dr. Andre Jackson Jan 20, 2025

Former cult members often reference the moment when they finally realized they were in a cult. In 2023 the Watchtower Society reported approximately 8.6 million members. Like many cults, Jehovah's Witnesses discourage critical thinking and members' exposure to any information that could be critical of the belief system. Such insolation from the real world is one way to keep people brainwashed. For Andre Jackson, who grew up as a Jehovah's Witness, this moment of "waking up" became the focus of his Doctoral dissertation. Andre grew up in Germany, where his mother became a Jehovah's Witness when he was 7 years old. By the age of 10, Andre accepted the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses: When he almost needed a blood transfusion (which the group teaches to be a transgression against God), he rejected it and was willing to die for his belief. Andre focused his dissertation research on the waking up process of Bethelites, Jehovah’s Witnesses who live and work in the Bethel compounds. Around 0.25% of Jehovah's Witnesses, around 22,000 individuals, are Bethelites. So how do people "wake up"? Come join us in this fascinating discussion.

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Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy with Lucas Wilson Jan 13, 2025

"Conversion therapy"—a discredited practice that purports to change an individual's sexual orientation and/or gender identification and expression—has harmed countless lives under the guise of morality. I spoke to Lucas Wilson, an SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto Mississauga, as he shared his harrowing experience with "conversion therapy" at Liberty University. His story serves as a testament to the perseverance of the unique human spirit and a warning against the devastating impacts of undue influence. A scholar, editor, and advocate, Wilson's work sheds light on the intersections of evangelicalism, homophobia, and trauma. He is the editor of the forthcoming Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy, which compiles narratives from 17 contributors, offering diverse perspectives on a practice that major medical, psychiatric, and psychological organizations have condemned. A recent Canadian study cited by Wilson underscores the two most impactful ways to support survivors of "conversion therapy": listening without judgment and reconnecting with affirming communities. Survivors benefit immensely from being heard and validated. Listening affirms their experiences and begins the process of rebuilding trust. Additionally, reconnecting with a supportive queer community provides a safe space for healing and affirmation, countering the isolation imposed by conversion practices. Wilson's story is not just about survival but also about transformation. It highlights the dangers of unhealthy influence while demonstrating the power of education, community, and self-acceptance. As conversations around "conversion therapy" and undue influence continue, stories like Wilson's remind us of the urgent need for advocacy and awareness. Together, we can create a world where everyone can live authentically without fear or shame.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Taking on Sexual Misconduct in Spiritual Communities with Attorney Carol Merchasin Jan 06, 2025

Carol highlights the urgent need to reform the law, especially concerning coercion and control in legislative practices. She focuses exclusively on clients who have endured sexual abuse and coercion within cultic groups—not because other forms of abuse are absent, but because the law currently recognizes and addresses this specific type of abuse. The legal system inadequately acknowledges coercion in cases where individuals surrender significant amounts of money to cults or relinquish their rights to education, marriage, parenthood, or the choice not to have children. The law appears to narrowly define coercion, primarily in the context of sexual exploitation. The law also fails to recognize the deception involved when individuals are promised enlightenment through sexual relations with cult leaders, as it does not categorize this as fraud due to its religious context. There should be a legal distinction between legitimate religions deserving of tax exemptions and those that systematically defraud, enslave, or control individuals through coercion. We should not grant tax benefits to organizations that violate the law. Yet, currently, there is no clear standard for religious tax exemptions beyond the essential requirement that organizations do not operate as commercial enterprises. Merchasin is a former partner at Morgan, Lewis, and Bockius in Philadelphia, where she was an employment lawyer investigating issues of sexual misconduct in the workplace. She is currently the head of Sexual Misconduct in Spiritual Communities Counsel at the law firm of McAllister Olivarius, which represents survivors of sexual misconduct in cults and spiritual communities. Check out this important interview.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Maladaptive Daydreaming and Trauma Survivors with Dr. Eli Somer Dec 30, 2024

Many people daydream, and this is an entirely normal part of life. However, when daydreaming is taken to the extreme and creates psychological distress or impairs functioning, it can be considered maladaptive and may require intervention. Trauma causes many issues for survivors, whether the trauma was sustained in one event or many events over many years. Cult survivors exhibit symptoms of trauma ranging from PTSD and trust issues to guilt and shame. Some trauma symptoms develop because of the defense mechanisms our minds employ to save us from the trauma. The DSM-V-TR lists brainwashing and cult coercive persuasion as a dissociative disorder. As an expert on dissociation and hypnosis, I wanted to learn from Eli Somer, Ph.D., professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Haifa School of Social Work. Professor Somer’s interests have led him to research trauma and its effects. One effect of trauma can be dissociation, a psychological process in which a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity, often as a response to trauma or stress. Professor Somer coined the term maladaptive daydreaming, a dissociative disorder characterized by excessive, immersive daydreaming that disrupts daily functioning and serves as an escape from reality. There are many other fascinating topics we cover including use of psychedelics, false memories, and non use of hypnosis. Come join us!

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Thought Reform and Cyber Security: Where Cult Manipulation Techniques Meet Technology With Dustin Rozario Steinhagen, PhD Dec 23, 2024

Dustin Rozario Steinhagen, PhD is a privacy expert who recently graduated with his doctorate degree in Cyber Defense from Dakota State University. His dissertation is titled “Defending the security of the mind: A mail survey of thought-reform literacy in South Dakota.” This quantitative analysis measured “what everyday people know about thought reform and psychologically manipulative groups.” One of the most powerful defenses a person can have against mind hacking is admitting they are vulnerable to it. After that, skills can be acquired and built upon to teach people how to protect themselves further. However, we mustn’t let our guard down when it comes to our brains and minds coming under attack. Like anti-virus software needing updates to protect against the latest cyber threats, our minds also require ongoing learning to maintain psychological security in addition to adequate rest, play, and sleep. Influences are also more challenging to detect, more frequent in occurrence, from multiple directions, and require vigilance when interacting with different levels of trusted or untrusted sources. Having trusted groups who respect personal privacy and have our best intentions in mind becomes extremely important in such an environment.

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Using the Law to Criminalize Cult Leaders With Robin Boyle-Laisure Dec 16, 2024

Professor Boyle is a full-time faculty member at St. John’s University School of Law, New York (since 1994). She is a board member of the International Cultic Studies Association. She has written Law journal articles on using Trafficking law to prosecute cult leaders and uses my BITE Model of Authoritarian Control. Robin’s new book, Taken No More: Protecting Your Children Against Traffickers and Cults, will be published in 2025. Her articles, essays, and book chapters appear in legal and academic publications, many peer-reviewed. She writes and publishes on topics of undue influence, using the human trafficking statutes to prosecute cult leaders, the Violence Against Women Act, gaining emancipation for youth, rape laws, and stalking. Her articles, essays, and book chapters appear in legal and academic publications, many peer- reviewed. She regularly presents at conferences domestically and internationally (Canada, China, England, France, and Spain) on topics concerning human trafficking and coercive control in high-demand groups. The laws need to be updated to protect human rights. Join us for a fascinating discussion.

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Navigating Life Beyond the Children of God Cult as an Expert on Disabilities with Psychologist Maria Esguerra Dec 09, 2024

Australian Maria Esguerra tells us that it’s still difficult to speak about her personal experiences as a second-generation survivor of The Children of God cult. In this episode of The Influence Continuum, we explored the challenges of breaking free from cults and how those who become part of society’s natural defense system against cult indoctrination and authoritarianism help to free others. She traced her story back to a childhood of illnesses that mainly went untreated. “I had measles, chicken pox, mumps, malaria, every imaginable childhood disease, lots of parasites,” she said. Her father would eventually die when she was only four years old from Hodgkin Lymphoma, a form of cancer considered to be largely curable. She explained that in The Children of God cult, medical care was avoided as illnesses were considered the fault of the person or as “God judging you.” Maria is now a psychologist and Director of Assessable, an organization dedicated to serving people with disabilities. This is an especially commendable achievement in that her early life was shaped by her parent’s involvement in The Children of God cult. We discussed the experience of raising children within the cult and what ultimately pushed Maria to leave. One of the critical factors in her decision was her son’s battle with meningitis, which left him in a coma at a medical research center for ten days, resulting in a lifelong brain injury. While in Africa, Maria became pregnant again and endured harsh conditions. Upon returning to Australia, she resolved to create a new reality for her children—one rooted in safety and love, something she had not been given. Maria is an inspiration for everyone!

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Nature’s Medicine: Unlocking the Secrets to Wellness with Chris Kilham Dec 02, 2024

In recent years, modern science has confirmed what ancient tribal medicine has known all along—medicinal plants and practicing meditation can offer fantastic health benefits. Plants like ayahuasca and psilocybin are now being recognized for their remarkable ability to treat mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Yoga and meditation can facilitate a deeper mind-body connection, allowing us greater awareness and control over our emotions and stress. Indigenous cultures have used these practices for centuries, but even as science continues to confirm their efficacy, the mental health field has been resistant to advocating these practices. Driven by profit and regulatory hurdles, Big Pharma’s reluctance to embrace psychedelics indicates the continuous struggle between modern commercialization and our human ties with nature. On this episode of The Influence Continuum, I sit down with my dear friend and colleague, Chris Kilham, known as The Medicine Hunter. Chris has authored over a dozen books, the most recent of which is The Lotus and the Bud: Cannabis, Consciousness, and Yoga Practice. In these stressful, uncertain times, it is essential we all come back to a healthy mind-body lifestyle with good values.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Kundalini, 3HO & Yogi Bhajan: Predatory Behavior, Sexual Abuse, and Undue Influence With Peter Blachly Nov 25, 2024

There is a new HBO Max 4-part documentary called Breath of Fire on the cult of Guru Jagat and Harijiwan Singh Khalsa, her controller. The doc is very well done and was based on a Vanity Fair article, “The Second Coming of Guru Jagat” by Hayley Phelan. “Breath of Fire: The Unbelievable Story of Guru Jagat, the Elizabeth Holmes of Yoga” is Hillary Busis’ follow up article about the docuseries. Many celebrities have been associated with Bhajan’s cult of kundalini.We interviewed a former insider who appeared in the series, Peter Blachly, who wrote the book The Inner Circle: My Seventeen Years in the Cult of the American Sikhs. It is another look into a fabulously wealthy cult founded by a total fraud. The cult continues and there are disciples the world over still recruiting and harming people. Of interested is if you have ever used Yogi Tea or heard of Akal Security which Homeland Security gave a fortune to this cult for “security.” There is great value in learning about other cult leaders and how they bewitch people to work without pay, get sexually violated and continue to believe. Until they wake up and leave.

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Gaining Further Election Insight on Spycraft Interference: Den of Spies from Past to Present Day with Author Craig Unger Nov 18, 2024

On this episode of the Influence Continuum, I spoke with Craig Unger, an investigative journalist and the author of Den of Spies, which is described in his biography as “a real-life political thriller about how master spy William Casey put together a treasonous covert operation in 1980 that hijacked American foreign policy and stole the election for Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.” Craig is also the author of six books on the Republican party’s assault on democracy, including American Kompromat: How the KGB Cultivated Donald Trump and Related Tales of Sex, Greed, Power, and Treachery. He has written for New York Magazine, The New Republic, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The New Yorker, The New York Times, Esquire, The Independent, and many others. “Initially, I think, it was very covert, as I show in this book. Everything was behind the scenes. With Trump today, it’s almost overt,” Craig said, noting Trump’s direct message in 2016 to Russia to retrieve Clinton’s emails. I noted The Wall Street Journal’s recent article citing Elon Musk’s relationship with Vladimir Putin and secret conversations. We then discussed the volumes of evidence supporting the idea that Trump was recruited as an asset for the KGB in the 1980s. This book is a well researched documented revealing of how American Democracy has been manipulated. Tragic and Americans wil now see what is brought to power. Eyes open and courageous resistance is required!

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TECH AGNOSTIC: How Technology Became the World’s Most Powerful Religion, and Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation with Harvard/ MIT Humanist Chaplain Greg Epstein Nov 11, 2024

Now with the American election won with the help of Elon Musk and his social media platform, X, and other tech billionaires. We need to pay attention! TECH is now the major world religion! Think about it. Technology was developed as a tool to serve humans, not vice versa. Unfortunately, we humans seem to have forgotten this, as billions worldwide are literally addicted to our smartphones. Many in the upper echelon of technology circles propose and even ominously insist upon humanity serving technology futures. They believe that we, the people, should work towards constant innovation, a technological race to the top, even at the cost of humanity’s future. There is also an emerging thoughtform that suggests that humanity should sacrifice the planet, our very means of existence, to ensure that technology AI data personas would be preserved and reach their ultimate destiny.Peer-reviewed through The MIT Press and distributed by Penguin Random House, Epstein asked, “Who is profiting from these tech-centric futures, and how can we center humanity at the heart of engineering?” This is one of the most important books of our time.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Workplace Bullying and the Law with Professor David Yamada Nov 04, 2024

Dr Phil spoke at Madison Square Garden saying Trump wasnt a bully. Ha! Professor Yamada is an internationally recognized authority on workplace bullying. He is a professor of law and the director of the New Workplace Institute at Suffolk University Law School in Boston. It is the primary drafter of model workplace anti-bullying legislation known as the Healthy Workplace Bill, which is serving as a template for law reform efforts in the U.S. He also is the founding board chairperson of the International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence, which promotes the application and design of laws, legal procedures, and legal institutions that support psychological health and well-being. Professor Yamada identifies former President Donald Trump as being a classic workplace bully, constantly resorting to ridicule, name-calling, and cruel putdowns in his public and private behavior. These actions are consistent with some of the worst types of workplace bullying. Drawing from the DSM-V, Trump’s behaviors are often called “cluster B” traits or behaviors. Cluster B includes narcissism, sociopathy, emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and attention-seeking. It is no wonder that 40 out of 44 former insiders from the Trump White House have now come out in favor of Kamala Harris. The idea of well-being is central to Professor Yamada’s work and the backbone of our discussion in this episode. Professor Yamada’s current work examines how the law, public policy, and dispute resolution procedures can be designed to be more trauma-informed, enhancing the well-being of those impacted by law and public policies.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oAmU7E1zaycPovorrPQ4JJmBtwl_RgRy/view?usp=drive_link

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To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Political Followers to Make or Brake a Toxic Leader with Ira Chaleff Oct 28, 2024

When thinking about political leaders—those with influence over national or global issues—how often do we consider the role of their political followers? Could you or I say “no” to a toxic leader and courageously defy their commands? This consideration is critical. Leaders don’t operate in isolation. They need political followers who support, amplify, and even challenge their actions. These checks and balances support strong, fair leadership and ensure the political process is just. To Stop a Tyrant is a book approved of by readers at both ends of the political spectrum as it is a non-partisan and evergreen topic. In my interview with Ira Chaleff, author of The Courageous Follower and Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told to Do Is Wrong, we explored this multifaceted relationship as he explained how political followers have the power to support healthy leadership or enable authoritarianism. His fascinating perspective comes from a dedicated career of studying the dynamics of leadership and followership – specifically in political contexts. Together, we unpacked his insights on what he calls “Courageous Followership,” his perspectives on intelligently and ethically disobeying harmful instructions from a leader, and the roles of followers who have the power to combat undue influence.

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Takedown: Inside the Fight to Shut Down Pornhub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking with Laila Mickelwait Oct 21, 2024

Pornhub was once recognized as the largest and most popular porn site in the world. The site made it easy for users to upload and download content, which is desirable in other contexts. However, these features pose significant threats when applied to freely accessible user-generated, homemade, pornography. Reports suggest that without adequate safeguards, there was a rapid increase in uploads of questionable, illegal, and violent content, including instances of nonconsensual sexual acts. More troublingly, such content became widely viewable and could be downloaded onto private devices. Laila Mickelwait is the author of the new book Takedown: Inside the Fight to Shut Down Pornhub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking. She is also the founder and CEO of the Justice Defense Fund, a non-profit organization that seeks to help bring justice to survivors of online sexual crimes. Numerous lawsuits have been filed based on sex trafficking, child abuse, and RICO laws in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., with claims that Visa and two hedge funds also knowingly profited from content depicting sexual abuse.

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How to End Christian Nationalism with Baptist Religious Liberty Expert Amanda Tyler Oct 14, 2024

My latest guest on the Influence Continuum is Amanda Tyler, a graduate of Georgetown University and The University of Texas School of Law, who has practiced privately as an attorney, as a law clerk for a U.S. district court judge in Dallas, Texas, and at various positions within the federal level. She is currently the Executive Director of the BJC ( Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty) .Her new book is titled How to End Christian Nationalism. Amanda’s work has focused on constitutional law analysis and advocacy for ‘faith freedom for all,’ on which topics she has testified before Congress. She defined Christian nationalism as “a political ideology and a cultural framework that tries to merge American and Christian identities.” She based her foundation for religious freedoms squarely on the First Amendment, which stated, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” During our conversation, she shared her legal analysis and religious freedom advocacy perspective, highlighting that this scenario is currently threatened by Christian nationalism in the United States.

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Who Owns Democracy? The Real Deep State and The Struggle Over Class and Caste with Sociologist Charles Derber, PhD Oct 07, 2024

United States history is often portrayed more through myth than historical fact. The true story of America, from its founding rebellion to the present day, is extraordinarily complex. The truth can sometimes seem almost unimaginable due to the numerous injustices and inequities throughout its history. Despite the ideals expressed by the nation’s founders in the Preamble to the Constitution—to form “a more perfect Union,” establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure liberty for future generations—America’s creation was rooted in systems of class and caste. As discussed in this episode of the Influence Continuum, the idea of a fair system initially created to be accessible to all is an aspect of that founding myth.

Charles Derber, a Professor of Sociology at Boston College and life-long activist has authored 28 books on topics such as politics, democracy, fascism, corporations, capitalism, climate change, war, culture wars, and social change. In this episode of the Influence Continuum, he helped us delve deeper into the historical dynamics of class and caste. His latest book, co-authored with Yale R. Magrass, Who Owns Democracy? The Real Deep State and the Struggle Over Class and Caste in America presents a candid discussion about the hard truths of power and who predominantly bears the burden or responsibility of the deep state. This was a fascinating hour with a true scholar.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church with author Gareth Gore Sep 30, 2024

Heard about the Heritage Foundation Project 2025? Did you know it’s architect, President Kevin Roberts has ties to the far-right, secretive Roman Catholic group Opus Dei. Want to know more? I have been helping people involved with Opus Dei for decades and have read numerous books on them. I have a BITE Model of Authoritarian control on Opus day on my website. I am excited to share a brand new book, published by Simon and Schuster that breaks new ground and is vital to read. Join me on an interview with the financial journalist who spent 6 years researching this cult. Learn names of top officials who have been recruited to be involved with this cult group.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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#UNTRUTH: The Psychology of Trumpism with Filmmaker Dan Partland Sep 23, 2024

This week on the Influence Continuum, I had the pleasure of sitting down with two-time Emmy winner Dan Partland, an extraordinary documentarian. He asked me to speak on the MAGA cult in his new film, #UNTRUTH: The Psychology of Trumpism, which will be streaming on virtually every platform. Dan’s new film highlights what I have been saying for years—Trumpism is not just a political movement; it operates as a destructive authoritarian cult and utilizes known mind-control techniques to disconnect Trump’s followers from reality, reinforce their loyalty to him, and silence dissenters and dissidents. In 2020, he released a film, #UNFIT: The Psychology of Donald Trump, during the 2020 election cycle. The film stars many top people: George Conway, Joe Walsh, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Malcolm Nance to mention just a few experts. It is really well done and well argued. Come listen to this fascinating interview.

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Understanding Coercive Control in Families with Dr. Christine Cocchiola Sep 16, 2024

Have you ever learned from an expert in coercive control? Ever thought about the authoritarianism in a family structure? Maybe you or someone you know were married to a narcissist or knows of children being manipulated by an abusive parent. My latest guest, social worker Christine Cocchiola, is an expert on adult and child victims of coercive control. Dr. Christine Cocchiola has a doctorate in Social Welfare, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and is a tenured Social Work professor. Dr. Cocchiola also has a brand-new book with co-author Amy Polacko called Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld. It consists of 22 stories from survivors of coercive control and narcissistic abuse and what it was like for them and their families dealing with the legal system. Dr. Cocchiola's work helps combat what I think is an unrealized epidemic, which is people who are harmful and toxic to others. During our talk, we focused on what I believe is vitally important in understanding authoritarian and coercive control when a parent acts like a cult leader. Join me in this fascinating conversation!

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Protecting the Elderly from Undue Influence with Lisa Nerenberg Sep 09, 2024

When Kamala Harris was Attorney General for California she supported legislation to protect elderly people from undue influence. In this installment of The Influence Continuum, I sat down with Lisa Nerenberg, MSW, MPH, who has dedicated her career to ensuring dignity and justice for this vulnerable and growing population. Lisa is the founding executive director of The California Elder Justice Coalition. She now serves as the organization’s Director of Special Projects. She co-founded the San Francisco Consortium for Elder Abuse Prevention and the National Network for State Elder Justice Coalitions. Showcasing her passion and expertise, Lisa has authored two influential books: Elder Justice, Ageism, and Elder Abuse (2019) and Elder Abuse Prevention (2008). I believe that undue influence has reached a “tipping point” where most Americans agree that people can be harmed by psychological means. Join us for this fascinating discussion.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14-e5PZQ2T6tPU-KAIEOvFqaA_nEPrEfE/view?usp=drive_link

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New Report: Trustworthy Elections Can Be a Reality for All! with Braver Angels, J. Larry Mayes and Walt McKee Sep 02, 2024

This is one of the most important podcasts I've had the pleasure to do, as its focus is on free and fair election systems, the cornerstone of our Democracy. I spoke with Walt McKee and J. Larry Mayes, who co-chair the Braver Angels Trustworthy Elections Leadership Team, an organization I am also proud to be a member of. Braver Angels is a unique nonprofit, as it is one of the few organizations that actively brings people together from both sides of the aisle to listen to each other and develop friendships- whether they lean red or lean blue. This year they decided to do a project to determine what everyone could agree on as a fair and trustworthy election. The summary, available to all on the Braver Angels' website, is reported to consist of "23 specific solutions which address seven broad areas of concern," including:

Fair and Equal Access to Voting
Verifiable Voter Identity and Eligibility
Transparency and Accountability
Redistricting – Gerrymandering
Confidence in Vote Counting
Safety and Security in the Elections Process
Peaceful Transfer of Power

Please come learn about how these recommendations were developed and agreed to by all who lean left or lean right as a way to find common ground together. Come give a listen!

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Unorthodox: Building Communities of Ideas with Reb Moshe Waldoks Aug 26, 2024

Come join me for a personal discussion with the man I credit for helping me to reconnect with my Jewish identity and faith. Reb Moshe Waldoks helped me find a practice of Judaism that spoke to my soul. Reb Moshe is the son of Holocaust survivors and an “advocate for joy.” Reb Moshe spent 12 years as a teacher, storyteller, and comedian. He co-edited The Big Book of Jewish Humor with William Novak. Reb Moshe helped establish a vibrant community at Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, Massachusetts, where I have belonged for the past 26 years. In this time of increased anti-semitism, I wanted to do this important interview. Come check it out.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Occulture and Undue Influence in Cults of Past and Present with Joseph Szimhart Aug 19, 2024

In this episode of Influence Continuum, I spoke with my good friend and long-time colleague Joseph Szimhart. He is a cult and intervention expert and has an over 25-year history of working as a case worker in mental health. Want to understand the history of cult belief systems, including QAnon? Ascended Masters? Angles? Channelers? Mystics? Did you know Michael Flynn did a “decree”, just like the ones Joe did when he was involved with Church Universal and Triumphant. Joe is my go-to-man for anything “new age” or “new thought.” He is a lay scholar and has read countless books and helps me on cases as a content expert! His current work also includes a YouTube channel focusing on “Cults and the Occulture” as its central theme. I believe you will be gald you have listened to this podcast.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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The More Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Warn Anew with forensic psychiatrist Bandy X. Lee MD Aug 12, 2024

The November 2024 election will determine the future of America and the free world. Donald Trump has chosen J.D. Vance as his vice president, and the pair continue to get increasingly “weird,” and lying seems to be ramping up if that is even possible. Conservative attorney George Conway has created the Anti-Psychopath PAC and has publicly called out the media’s failure to explain the dangers of having a psychopath in the White House. Conway wrote the Foreword to the rerelease of The Cult of Trump which is being rolled out asap. We did an Afterword. I wanted to reshare this 2023 interview with one of the leading experts who has been silenced is Bandy X. Lee, M.D., M.Div., a forensic psychiatrist, president of the World Mental Health Coalition, and an internationally recognized expert on violence. A brilliant and compassionate observer of the political landscape, she is the author of Profile of a Nation: Trump’s Mind, America’s Soul and editor of the best-selling book The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President. She is assembling a team of authors to create a new, short book published by the World Mental Health Coalition and tentatively titled The More Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Warn Anew. This is an important interview which goes into problems with the family courts as well.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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4th Generation Psychological Warfare and The Christian Right: A Discussion with James Scaminaci III Aug 05, 2024

With the election just a few months away and an unprecedented barrage of psychological warfare being leveled at Americans, as well as people around the world, we decided to reshare this podcast and blog from 2020. It features Dr. James Scaminaci’s expertise on psychological warfare and specifically something called Fourth Generation Warfare (4GW). Understanding psychological warfare is imperative to counter the authoritarian agenda aimed at destabilizing people’s sense of self and understanding of “reality.” Indeed, social media and AI are being used to confuse, disorient, and unduly influence people to extremely simplistic positions of all or nothing and good versus evil. The moderate majority that values facts, science, human rights, and checks and balances of power must stay focused on reality being very complex and rarely simple. Going forward, we must understand and protect ourselves in order to keep American from coming apart. Come join us on this fascinating interview.

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Former Trump Attorney Michael Cohen on His Experience in The Cult of Trump Jul 29, 2024

With the 2024 election coming in November, Trump has been ramping up his rhetoric about using the DOJ to go after his critics who he considers his enemies. He has managed to enthrall millions to think God is on Trump’s side. All I can say is that no one has experienced more directly the weaponization of the DOJ using former AG William Barr, than Michael Cohen. His book Revenge: How Donald Trump Weaponized the Department of Justice Against His Critics. So I decided to reair our 2023 interview when the book first came out to put some “flesh on the bones” of this attack on our constitution and rule of law. Michael Cohen hosts the Mea Culpa podcast and authored the #1 best-selling book, Disloyal: A Memoir. His book Revenge is an indictment of Trump weaponizing the Department of Justice, headed by AG Bill Barr. Putting Cohen in jail- solitary confinement for 51 days! Learn more about this horrendous abuse of power. This is a great interview!

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Empowered: Helping Support Survivors of Human Trafficking with Kristy Norbert LCSW Jul 22, 2024

Kristy Norbert, co-founder and executive director of Empowered Network, is a licensed social worker with over 20 years of experience who has developed trauma-informed programs aimed at helping trafficking survivors achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Her insights reveal the critical intersection between human trafficking and mind control, similar to the techniques employed by cult leaders. Empowered Network assists survivors of human trafficking in moving beyond immediate crisis services to achieve long-term stability. I was honored to nominate Felicia Rosario, MD, to get support from the Empowered Network. Felicia was in the Larry Ray cult at Sarah Lawrence that was featured in the Hulu series Stolen Youth. I appeared in the fourth episode, listed under ABC Nightline-Impact Stolen Youth; in that episode, I met Felicia and Daniel Levin, the cult’s whistleblower, and talked with them about their experiences. Larry Ray was convicted of trafficking and is in jail for the rest of his life. I am happy to say Felicia is returning to become a forensic psychiatrist and will attend the IALMH.org congress with me this July 22-26th in Barcelona.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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It’s More Important to be Related than Right: Compassion in the Time of Social Media with Ravi Chandra, M.D. Jul 15, 2024

Humans crave connection. This need for connection is a vital aspect of the psychology behind cults, coercion, and undue influence. Isolation makes people vulnerable and fearful and more likely to be influenced in harmful ways. Psychiatrist Ravi Chandra discusses the psychology of connection, how institutions can take action to encourage empathy and critical thinking, and how social media and fear-mongering news cycles are creating divisions. We need to be focusing on developing trust and community.

As a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Ravi Chandra is concerned about the Goldwater Rule and how it limits what psychiatrists can and cannot say about public figures Like Donald Trump. The APA established the Goldwater rule in 1973. The so-called “rule” says that psychiatrists should not diagnose a person from a distance; they should only offer professional opinions if they have done a personal examination and evaluation. However, forensic experts on dangerousness, like Dr. Bandy X. Lee insists “experts have a duty to warn!” When their voices are censored we are all endangered.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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A Portuguese Journey of Awakening and Advocacy with Ex-JW Elder António Madaleno Jul 08, 2024

Did you know there are 8.6 million dedicated members of the Watchtower Society or Jehovah’s Witnesses, and supposedly, over 20 million people attend their annual big meeting (memorial attendance) worldwide? They are out on street corners, travel terminals in pairs. When I heard about a new book in Portuguese by a former elder, I wanted to learn more. António's new book, The Universe of Destructive Sects – Discover the secret world of deception, manipulation and mind control, explores the deepest secrets of the human mind and uncovers the manipulative techniques behind cults and high-control groups. António Madaleno’s journey from a dedicated Jehovah’s Witness elder to a vocal advocate against the Watchtower Society’s control tactics is a powerful story of courage and resilience. In this week’s episode of The Influence Continuum, we spoke about his transformative story and the impact of his work.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Flourishing and Developing Healthy Physiologic Responses During Ongoing Stressors: Dr. Eva Selhub, M.D. Jul 01, 2024

This fascinating interview is with Dr. Eva Selhub who worked at Harvard with Herb Benson developing and understanding about the mind body connection to health. Dr. Selhub is an internationally recognized resiliency expert who has worked as a physician, author, executive coach, keynote speaker, and spiritual advisor. She has written many books, including Burnout for Dummies, Resilience for Dummies, Your Health Destiny, The Stress Management Handbook, The Love Response, and co-authored Your Brain on Nature. Life is filled with opportunities to practice new techniques for resilience, and many in the medical field have had ample chances to refine their skills in this area from personal challenges. This lived experience with investigations into problem-focused solutions is then commonly shared through science-based pursuits and practices. These mixed techniques increase what we know as personal or societal health through medicine. We all benefit from a more mentally and physically flourishing self and society. Dr. Eva Selhub, M.D. has fostered this idea throughout her career, culminating in a resilience strategy for modern times.

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Insights on Surviving and Thriving After a Cult with Michelle Dowd Jun 24, 2024

I had the privilege of a second opportunity to talk with Michelle Dowd, a journalism professor and author of Forager: Field Notes on Surviving a Family Cult. I watched Michelle’s three-and-a-half-hour interview on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Joe was utterly fascinated by Dowd’s cult experience and asked many questions, including what a cult is. Michelle mentioned me and my BITE Model. Indeed, I was on Joe Rogan’s show in 2015, and he remembered me. I was astounded to hear Joe say that he thought anyone who was on social media all the time had a mental illness. Dowd’s story of being raised in an Apocalyptic survivalist cult on a mountain is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It offers valuable insights into overcoming the psychological grip of cults. This post explores key themes from her experiences and offers practical advice for recovery and empowerment.Definitely great to learn about using creativity to help recover from abuse and mind control. Michelle is wonderful.

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Unmasking Climate Denial: How Cult Tactics Fuel Disinformation with David Lipsky Jun 17, 2024

I read David Lipsky’s article in Rolling Stone last year on how the Moonies have been the center for global climate denial for 50 years through their Washington Times organization. I immediately bought his book, The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial and wanted to interview him. Well, the paperback is now out and we had a great interaction! This enlightening conversation delves into how anti-science sentiments have flourished in American society, drawing unsettling parallels between cult behavior and climate change denial. If you are interested in the Climate crisis, disinformation, propaganda and cult mind control, this is an episode you will want to listen to throughout!

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The Moon Cult: An Interview with former top American leader Allen Tate Wood Jun 10, 2024

For those who know Combating Cult Mind Control and my work, you know I was in the Moon cult. However, if you are under 50 years old, most people have no idea what the Moonies are about. Allen Tate Wood was a four-year member of the Unification Church–aka The Moon organization. He was the Chief Political Officer of the Unification Church in the United States, commander for the state of Maryland, workshop Director and Chief lecturer for the state of Maryland, and an expert witness for the congressional subcommittee investigation led by Donald Fraser into the Korean CIA infiltration into the United States. He also authored Moonstruck: a memoir of my life and a cult to warn people against cult dangers. Wood said he left in 1973 because “they were making people into fanatics.” In addition, he testified in The London Daily Mail lawsuit where the newspaper wrote that the Moonies brainwashed members and separated them from their families. The Daily Mail won the case and the Unification Church had to pay some 2 million dollars. Perhaps most importantly, Wood testified before the US Supreme Court in 1979 and 1981in the case involving Moon’s conviction of conspiracy to defraud the US Government. Mr. Moon was sentenced to 18 months and served 13 in a posh prison in Danbury, Connecticut. Mr. Moon died in 2012, and two sons fight with their mother over billions of dollars. Sean Moon claims to be “king” and has created a religious cult called the Rod of Iron Ministries. He claims that God wants people to own and know how to use AR-15 assault rifles. Sean Moon went to the January 6th coup attempt at the Capitol and tweeted that Antifa was making the attack- a lie also pushed by Moon’s newspaper, The Washington Times. His brother Justin Moon owns a gun factory in Pennsylvania to make assault rifles and train people for civil wars. After Biden’s inauguration as President of the United States, his predecessor Moon went to the January 6th coup attempt at the Capitol and tweeted that Antifa was making the attack- a lie also pushed by Moon’s newspaper, The Washington Times. Trump, Pence, and Pompeo all appeared for a virtual event for Hak Ja Han, endorsing her. Trump received 2.5 million dollars for this. This was just a few weeks after the attempted violent coup. The Washington Times has been the center of 50 years of climate science denial according to David Lipsky.

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Ex-Scientologists, Recovery, and Helping Others – a Discussion with Jon Atack Jun 03, 2024

One of the most publicized authoritarian cults is Scientology and the world’s leading authority is Jon Atack. Jon and I have been friends and colleagues He is the author of Let’s Sell These People A Piece of Blue Sky, considered the definitive book on Scientology, Dianetics, and L. Ron Hubbard. During our podcast, we discussed the new audiobook versions of Scientology: The Cult of Greed and Opening Our Minds: Avoiding Abusive Relationships and Authoritarian Groups. A significant portion of our discussion focused on the struggle former cult members face in processing the mind control they endured. We consider ourselves “elders” in the work helping people to understand and recover. Yet we both are frustrated that former members fail to see “the big picture” and continue to operate out of a cult mindset of “us vs. them”- even when it comes to fellow ex Scientologists. There is a lot of interesting things we unpack, including the fact that the founder of the cult was a hypnotist. Our conversation delved deeply into the complexities of mind control, the importance of processing and healing from cult experiences, and the challenges former members face in reclaiming their lives.

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“Conspiratorial Demonology” in the New Apostolic Reformation: LGBTQ Students and Undue Influence in Schools with Jonathon Sawyer May 27, 2024

Jonathon Sawyer is urgently speaking out against involvement of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) in education for a very clear reason. He stated, “More people need to know that those who are discriminated against [sometimes] become those who discriminate.” In psychology, we call this the victim, victimizer paradigm. It is the idea that without healthy self-reflection, people exteriorize or project their own inner “demons” onto others. This cycle of religiously motivated harm is a concern for both individuals and society: “One of the concerns that I have...is that we’re seeing more and more taxpayer-supported religious schools in the United States, particularly at the K through 12 levels,” said Jonathon—“…[and] adolescents, young people, and children are especially susceptible to some of the most...harmful aspects of radical religion.” He is the author of the important journal article titled (Un)hidden from self: on LGBTQ students and the conspiratorial demonology of the New Apostolic Reformation. A really important conversation!

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Cult Trip: Inside the World of Coercion & Control with Journalist Anke Richter May 20, 2024

Anke Richter co-founded FACT (Fight Against Conspiracy Theories) and is organizing the first cult awareness conference in Australia, DECULT. Anke’s bestseller “Cult Trip: Inside the World of Coercion & Control” is about her ten-year investigation into sex cults –from tantra yoga to the Human Potential Movement to fundamentalist Christianity. She is a voice against cults, conspiracies, and undue influence in New Zealand and is working to harness efforts worldwide to fight disinformation and radicalization, especially online. Her book is now out in paperback and it was a delight to help spread the work of a citizen activist.

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Raised in Scientology, He Became a Military Helicopter Pilot and Rescued His Abused Mother with Mike Brown May 13, 2024

Mike tried to escape Scientology’s undue influence when he was 15. As punishment for trying to escape, he was isolated, sleep-deprived, and forced to do hard labor for over a year and a half. Mike reflects that he felt like a prisoner during this time. Mike finally escaped Scientology at age 27 and joined the military. He had little education and no credit history. Despite these odds, he was inspired by his family’s previous military service and flourished in the Army. Mike became a helicopter pilot and instructor. Mike served five combat tours between Iraq and Afghanistan in his nearly 20 years of service. Mike’s parents joined Scientology when he was seven. Later he says he was made to join the Sea Organization or “Sea Org,” a paramilitary section of Scientology. Mike’s mom, Rosemary, worked directly for one of Scientology’s top executives, Ronnie Miscavige Jr., older brother of the organization’s leader, David Miscavige. Mike reflects that the military was less controlling than Scientology for him. Later, Mike rescued his mother from the cult. An utterly fascinating story.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Ex-Communication from Unitarian Universalism: the World’s Most Liberal Religion with Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof May 06, 2024

Rev. Dr. Todd F. Eklof has been the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, WA, since 2011. He’s appreciated for his mind-altering sermons, compassionate soul, and social activism. Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism have traditionally been known as liberal religions, defined by their commitment to individual dignity and freedom of expression. They promote diversity and inclusivity and encourage their members to engage in the “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” However, Todd has had a different experience. He believes the organization has undergone a significant policy change, with the value of autonomy and freedom of expression becoming less valued. As a minister, he was not allowed to discuss his concerns openly and was attacked when he did speak out. As a result, he was “disfellowshipped.” Eklof been widely appreciated for his environmental and gay rights activism, in addition to engaging in the areas of criminal justice reform, restorative justice, the peace movement, as well as immigration and racial justice. I wanted to interview him to highight just how polarized Americans have become. I was shocked to hear that he was “canceled.” Cancel culture is just not ok- on the right or the left. Come join this fascinating conversation.

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How to Be a World-Class Investigator with Julie Jones Apr 29, 2024

A former British Police Detective and Undercover Operator, Julie Jones is the founder and CEO of Human-I Intelligence Services, an international consultancy specializing in cybercrime investigations and online open-source intelligence (OSINT). She is a recognized international expert in human trafficking. A bestselling author of the book How to Be a World Class Investigator, international speaker, and former cast member of the award-winning factual reality UK TV series Hunted, Julie continues to work closely with media agencies as a consultant and researcher. Julie has developed and delivered training in sexual and gender-based violence, human trafficking, trauma-informed and victim-centered practices, major case management, strategic and criminal intelligence, cybercrime, and OSINT. She is a passionate and tenacious field investigator and conducts active operations globally with a focus on human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, stalking, and cults. She is a licensed private investigator in British Columbia and sits on the Advisory Council for the Anti-Trafficking Intelligence Initiative. This is an interview you dont want to miss.

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The Life of Candace Pert: Dysfunction in Medical Science and Research Communities with Pamela Ryckman Apr 22, 2024

My guest on this episode of The Influence Continuum is Pamela Ryckman, who wrote the book Candace Pert: Genius, Greed, and Madness in the World of Science. Science and health institutions can mimic cult-like behaviors and dysfunctional systems when the structures within them become overly competitive and focused on limited resources to obtain professional goals. Ideals of collaboration for the good of the public can become crushed under systems of harmful competition and dogmatic attachments to old-fashioned ideas. The life story of Candace Pert, who discovered the opioid receptor, is a clear demonstration of how women and minorities have often been undermined, excluded, or driven out of that system. Virtually unheard of by most, her life work included significant discoveries in mind-body medicine, HIV treatments with Peptide T, and volumes of scientific research and publishing over her time working within the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Mental Health.

Pamela Ryckman is an Emmy-winning producer and writer focusing on women in the workforce. She noted how the story of Candace Pert’s life work provided an ideal launchpad to discuss some of the most pressing issues plaguing science and healthcare today. Ryckman is also the author of the book Stiletto Network: Inside the Women’s Power Circles That Are Changing the Face of Business, which discusses the secret society of the world’s most powerful women shaping an underground movement for change. She has written for The New York Times, Financial Times, Washington Post, and many other publications. Join me for this utterly fascinating discussion.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Supporting Patient Comfort Through Rapid Hypnotic Techniques with Elvira Lang-Anderson, M.D. Apr 15, 2024

Empowering patients or clients to have authority and control over their medical experiences is vital to beneficial therapeutic care. Likewise, well-crafted use of professional communication skills in setting expectations about clinical procedures and outcomes can mean the difference between a traumatic medical visit versus one being remembered with gratitude. Clinical studies show that clinicians trained in hypnotic skills can effectively help patients be more receptive to well-placed suggestions that may help reduce discomfort, eliminate the need for certain medications, lessen the side effects of treatments, and offer moderation over anxiety.

Dr. Elvira Lang-Anderson, MD, PhD, is an award-winning interventional radiologist and founder of Comfort Talk®. This skills-based program fosters improvement of patient satisfaction, optimizing outcomes, and the ability to complete medical procedures through rapid rapport and "word choice" techniques. She has studied patient/provider interactions and their impact on health outcomes, staff satisfaction, and the results of different techniques on the overall efficiency of healthcare systems. Come learn the “state of the art” in this important interview for all.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Leaving a Martial Arts Cult with Russell Johnson Apr 08, 2024

Russell Johnson is a former member of the Korean martial arts cult Chung Moo Quan. After much negative publicity, its name was changed to Oom Yung Doe. Now a professional security consultant, activist, and podcaster, Russell got involved with the cult as a teen and was involved for eight years. We first met in the early 90s when he contacted me after reading Combating Cult Mind Control. My book helped him understand how he had been manipulated in the cult using primary BITE model tactics. I have been on his podcast, Deceived, about his experience in the Chung Moo Quan cult. He also has a soon-to-be-published memoir called Deceived: A Journey into Darkness. I have heard from countless people about their involvement in destructive martial arts groups over the years.

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Defining Exit Ramps for Militia Members with Former Propagandist Oath Keeper Jason Van Tatenhove Apr 01, 2024

“America right now needs some exit ramps,” Jason Van Tatenhove said as we discussed his former role as national media director for the Oath Keepers, a group known for its far-right anti-government militia. While Jason would ultimately decide to leave the group in 2016 due to increasing racism and Holocaust denial within their membership, the Oath Keepers would go on to participate in the United States Capitol January 6th attack, led by followers of Donald Trump. Jason eventually testified before a U.S. House Select Committee about his position in media propaganda for the organization. He described their attempts at paramilitary tactics, plans for insurrection, and his relationship with Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, convicted of seditious conspiracy and evidence tampering.

Jason publicly speaks about his concerns for continued paramilitary training groups and recruitment tactics in future election cycles, including the 2024 presidential race. His book, The Perils of Extremism: How I Left the Oath Keepers and Why We Should Be Concerned about a Future Civil War, discusses the unsettled state surrounding extremism in America today and provides an insider view into the tactics used to recruit, train, and further radicalize persons with former military backgrounds, first-responders, and individuals who may otherwise feel disenfranchised by United States Democracy at this time. Newsflash: Rhodes’ son Dakota Adams has decided to run for Montana’s Legislature!

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Right-wing Christian Movements Threatening our Democracy with Matthew D. Taylor, PhD Mar 25, 2024

As a Protestant, Matthew D. Taylor, Ph.D., is a Senior Scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS), where he specializes in Muslim-Christian dialogue, Evangelical and Pentecostal movements, religious politics in the U.S., and American Islam. ICJS produced a 30-minute documentary, Spiritual Warriors: Decoding Christian Nationalism at the Capitol Riot, featuring Dr. Taylor. His new forthcoming book, The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement that is Threatening Our Democracy, tracks the role those Christian leaders played, particularly those from the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) networks, in instigating Christians to participate in the January 6th Capitol Riot.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Clinical Hypnosis and its Benefits for a New Health Care Paradigm with Julie H. Linden, PhD Mar 18, 2024

Hypnosis is everywhere on the Internet- either covertly like ASMR or overtly, where people are enticed to learn hypnosis or NLP, a version of Ericksonian hypnosis. My guest is the lead editor of a comprehensive textbook on clinical hypnosis. Still, it also includes two chapters I co-authored with law professor emeritus Alan Scheflin on the dark side of hypnosis, which includes MK-Ultra. The newly published Routledge International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis is a compendium of state-of-the-art neuroscience focusing on practice-oriented aspects of clinical hypnosis in healthcare settings. It contains the work of 90 contributors from the global field. Dr. Julie H. Linden, Ph.D., was the lead editor. Julie spoke about the continued increased interest in medicine surrounding clinical hypnotic techniques. We discussed how important and beneficial that could be when prescribing physicians and their ability to offer patients alternatives or integrative therapies for traditional pharmaceutical-based treatment plans, such as pain management.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Discussing Military Insights, AI, and Influence with Ryan McBeth Mar 10, 2024

In this enlightening episode, I speak to Ryan McBeth, an experienced military veteran and a recognized figure in cybersecurity, military analysis, and artificial intelligence, to explore a range of thought-provoking topics. Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge from his 20 years of service as an anti-armor and heavy weapons infantryman and his prolific work as a software architect, novelist, and YouTube content creator. Ryan appears on NEWSMAX as an intelligence consultant and consults for Veloxxity on Information Warfare and OSINT. He also performed C4ISR intelligence collection for various government customers and currently consults on intelligence collection and analysis methods. He has 856K subscribers on his YouTube channel and it is always educational learning from him. @RyanMcBethProgramming

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Navigating Journalistic Integrity in an Age of Misinformation with Anthony Davis Mar 04, 2024

Anthony Davis is a British broadcaster, journalist, and voiceover artist. He was born in London and has been based in Los Angeles since 2017, where he works remotely from his home studio with networks worldwide. Since November 2021, his collaborations with the MeidasTouch media network, including the Five-Minute News, The Weekend Show, and America Uncovered, have exploded his reach across the US as a trusted voice in news commentary. Anthony argues that inviting religious far-right speakers into the very heart of American democracy shows the shift to unionize the right-wing church and state. Anthony feels America fell to a dictator when Trump’s misinformation about the election campaign was spread, and peaceful protestors in Portland were militarized. This erosion of democratic values poses a grave threat to the foundation of American governance, necessitating concerted efforts to safeguard the integrity of democratic institutions and uphold the principles of justice and equality upon which the Constitution was founded.

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Online Radicalization with Data Scientist Dr. Stuart Shulman Feb 26, 2024

Analyzing online content and how people interact with that content is essential to understanding the process of online radicalization. Twitter/ X has been a major source of information for tracking QAnon and many bad actors from Russia as well as Christian Dominionists, Neo Nazis, and others. Bad actors worldwide use social media to post content to arouse emotions and create chaos. Distrust and polarization. With algorithms instantly and repeatedly feeding similar content, it is easy to go down a rabbit hole of authoritarian creation, resulting in undue influence. Dr. Stuart Shulman is the founding Editor of the Journal of Information Technology & Politics. He holds a Ph.D. in American Politics (Oregon 1999) and is currently the founder (2009) and CEO of Texifter, a software business serving academic, commercial, and government clients. DiscoverText is a web-based text analytics platform for improving human and machine learning. His past work includes extensive teaching and leadership roles, building externally funded teams for collaborative interdisciplinary research. His projects involve qualitative, quantitative, survey, and social media data and human annotation at scale, information retrieval, and machine-learning methods.

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Taking Down Trump: 12 Rules for Prosecuting Donald Trump by Someone Who Did It Successfully with Tristan Snell Feb 19, 2024

The Trump University grift followed the same playbook as many predatory organizations, like Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) organizations. Victims are hooked through legitimate sounding offers, like a weekend sales course for $1,500. However, once the victims attend the weekend sales course, they are pressured into buying more courses for more money to achieve goals too good to be true. It’s a classic bait-and-switch. So, how can regular people receive justice when high-powered people and organizations wield deception and cult-like practices? That’s where Tristan Snell comes in. Snell is a lawyer and legal commentator featured on MSNBC, NPR, in the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal. He served as Assistant Attorney General for New York State, leading the investigation and prosecution of Trump University. Snell has developed a playbook for going up against Trump and others like Trump in court. This is a unique interview that you won’t want to miss!

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Theocratic Politics & The New Apostolic Reformation with André Gagné and Frederick Clarkson Feb 12, 2024

In this era of political polarization, the landscape in the United States is marked by the rise of Donald Trump as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election. This despite Trump facing numerous legal challenges–including over his involvement in the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol. However, Trump and his supporters are but the most visible element. The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is increasingly taking over the religious right movement and, in turn, influencing the Republican Party, which holds implications for Christianity and the future of democracy. The NAR is closely aligned with those who are on a mission to take over democracy worldwide under the guise of “religious freedom.” Not only are they backing Trump, but Trump is backing them. This movement of politicized Neo-Charismatic Pentecostals (NCP) seeks to assert dominance through their Seven Mountain Mandate, which we’ve previously discussed. There is a possibility that Trump could once again serve as a conduit for their agenda at the nation’s highest office, amplifying the impact of this cult movement towards religious theocracy through the legislative and judicial branches of government at all levels. The theocratic end goals are clearly laid out through Project Blitz, a state-level legislative program primarily led by NAR operatives. André Gagné and Frederick Clarkson returned to my show to discuss the NAR, its background, and ways to educate people worldwide about it. This is a very special interview of major importance.

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TESCREAL hallucinations: Psychedelic and AI hype as inequality engines with Neşe Devenot, PhD Feb 05, 2024

Neşe Devenot is a Postdoctoral Associate at the Institute for Research in Sensing (IRiS) at the University of Cincinnati and the Medicine, Society & Culture Research Fellow at Psymposia. I decided to use the title of her profoundly important journal article for this podcast. Psychedelics are all the rage. When I gave a talk at the American Psychiatric Association, there were many, many talks about the studies being done to see how drugs like psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA might assist psychotherapeutically. However, many people are experimenting on their own. Some get caught up with a malignant narcissist “shaman” or teacher and experience horrendous trauma and abuse. While the public is doing widespread experimentation, Silicon Valley billionaires reportedly use large quantities of these substances. Devenot points out these tech billionaires appear to believe, in her words, a “TESCREAL bundle of ideologies, which describes an interrelated cluster of belief systems: transhumanism, Extropianism, singularitarianism, cosmism, Rationalism, Effective Altruism, and longtermism.” This is an utterly fascinating discussion about how the super-wealthy promotes these beliefs, and either people follow the leaders or they will be left behind. Listen to this brilliant researcher on bioethics!

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AI, Technology & Mind Control Topics in Natural Wellness and Spiritual Communities with Dr. Melanie Trowbridge Jan 29, 2024

Natural medicine might seem distant from the far-right fringes of society until you dig a little deeper and find the wealth of ‘wellness products’ being sold alongside political conspiracies. There is a constant quest for increasing well-being and less ‘toxic’ lifestyles. Meanwhile, conspiracy theories drain resources and instill fears, including political plots, controls, and cabals. It happens in the extremes on all sides, the quest for health alongside an implanted mission searching for “the truth.” Time magazine printed a November 2023 article called Wellness Conspiracy Theories are Spreading and highlighted the topic known colloquially as “conspirituality.” This leaves people simply seeking to feel better with the additional question of how to recognize scams from reality in holistic and natural health communities.

Dr. Melanie Trowbridge is a Licensed Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist practicing in Washington State. She and I spoke about the complexity of discernment in natural health communities at this time and about how AI is changing the future of medicine. Her first career was in technology and more recently completed a course at MIT on AI. Melanie also practices separately as an Ordained Spiritual Nature Minister.

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Revitalizing Non-partisan Civics Education with iCivics.org Chief Louise Dubé Jan 22, 2024

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the founder of iCivics, said, "The practice of democracy is not passed down through the gene pool. It must be taught and learned by each new generation." It is the continuing mission of the iCivics organization and its current Chief Executive Officer, Louise Dubé, to ensure that future generations of Americans receive meaningful, high-quality, non-partisan civics education through the 145,000 educators and 9 million students in all 50 states served through this free-to-the-public program. Civics education is a cornerstone of learning in the United States. It is the curriculum mortar that helps to hold our democracy together. Students learn the principles of collaboration to form a more perfect union from a very early age in the school system. As they advance in other skills, so should their skills in civics responsibilities and their participatory understanding of the rights and healthy influence within a democratic society. By the time a young person is of voting age in America, we hope that they feel capable of being actively engaged in the formation of societal order. Our nation's continuation and ongoing commitment to its founding principles depends on the learnings of each successive generation. Join us in this very important interview to insure our future!

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When Religion Hurts You: Healing from Religious Trauma and the Impact of High Control Religion with Dr. Laura E. Anderson Jan 15, 2024

Laura E. Anderson, PhD, was raised in a Christian family and experienced first hand what religious trauma is all about. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a Ph.D. in Mind Body Medicine from Saybrook University. She specializes in complex trauma, with a particular focus on domestic violence, sexualized violence, and religious trauma. Her new book is When Religion Hurts You: Healing from Religious Trauma and the Impact of High Control Religion. She founded and directs the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. She supports religious belief and involvement and wants people to be healthy. In this moment of religious extremism, her voice is a valued perspective.

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Breaking the Silence: Alva Johnson’s Journey in the Cult of Trump as the 2016 campaign’s Director of Outreach and Coalitions Jan 08, 2024

Legally released from an unenforceable NDA, the former 2016 campaign staffer discusses the cult-building tactics, Russian interference, and the who’s who of bad actors behind the scenes of the Trump campaign. Joining the campaign when then-candidate Trump was polling last in the GOP field, Alva is one of the very few former campaign staffers who worked under Corey Lewandowski, Paul Manafort, Dave Bossie, and Steve Bannon. Alva quit Trump the day the Access Hollywood tape was released, as she experienced remarkably similar behavior towards her from him as described in his Access Hollywood hot mic. Freed from the legal ramifications of an NDA, Alva wishes to help “reverse engineer” how the Trump campaign reached and recruited millions of Americans- with the help of Russian agents, data targeting, and money.

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Utilizing Integrative Psychology and Psychedelic Therapy with Australian Psychologist Nigel Denning Jan 01, 2024

In this New Year, we offer an episode on healthy, ethical influence. What is Integrative Psychology? What is “organization of mind?” If a person is interested in embodied mind practices, which include concentration meditation training, it takes very specialized training and practice to navigate this terrain effectively. Nigel Denning is a Counselling Psychologist and managing director of Integrative Psychology in Melbourne, Australia. We know each other because we both have received training from the famous forensic psychologist and Tibetan Buddhist teacher Daniel P. Brown. Sadly, Dr. Brown passed away last year, but his work lives on. Hopefully, we hope to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to optimize their minds, create a nurturing environment for growth and healing, and develop awareness of and resilience against the numerous forms of undue influence that permeate our culture.

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The Convergence of Cult Experience and Military Indoctrination with Former Army Captain Daniella Mestyanek Young Dec 25, 2023

Ever wonder about basic training in the military? What about how the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control applies to military personnel? With so many veterans who have returned to society, many do not seem to have been given the necessary psychological support to integrate and thrive. There is large amounts of active trauma as well as a high suicide rate. In 2022, Daniella Mestyanek Young acclaimed memoir Uncultured was published. It delved into being born into the Children of God sex cult, escaping, enlisting in officer’s training and her experiences as one of the first women to be in active combat as an Army Captain in the Intelligence Corps in Afghanistan. Young has since earned her Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the Harvard Extension School and has been unpacking her life experiences in very important ways for people to understand. Join me for this fascinating and disturbing interview.

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Unveiling the La Luz del Mundo Cult: Sochil Martin’s Story of Resilience Dec 18, 2023

Sochil Martin is a Mexican-American woman who was born and raised in a religious high control group called La Luz del Mundo (LDM), which claims to have over 5 million members in 58 countries worldwide. This group was established in 1926 and features a power structure like New Apostolic Reformation megachurches. It has been very involved in politics. LDM has been a part of Sochil’s family for four generations, starting with her great-grandmother being brought into the cult in Baja, California, Mexico. With the support of her husband, Sochil managed to escape from LDM and embarked on a journey to seek justice. In 2018, she blew the whistle on the organization to the California Department of Justice, exposing the abuse of leadership on its members and the sexual assault committed by the leader on women and minors. The leader, Naasón Joaquín García, is currently in state prison and has recently been indicted by the federal government for child pornography. Sochil’s story was shared in the well done HBO docuseries, Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo one streaming on MAX.

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Mussolini to the Present- The Rising Tide of Online Authoritarian Influence with Ruth Ben-Ghiat Dec 11, 2023

Navigating a deeply divided, polarized world filled with vulnerable souls to the siren calls of conspiracy theories, I find it essential to shine a light on the shadows where undue influence thrives. In this discussion with historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, we discuss the subtle and often sinister ways authoritarianism intertwines with the psychological mechanisms of control. We connect the dots from my experiences with cults and coercive persuasion. Ruth Ben-Ghiat is an NYU professor and expert on fascism and authoritarianism, a celebrated author, MSNBC columnist, and consultant, including for del Toro’s Oscar-winning ‘Pinocchio.’ Her book Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present explores the tactics of illiberal rulers and the history of resistance against them. With a focus on unraveling the complex tapestry of undue influence in modern politics, my discussion with historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat sheds light on the intricate relationship between authoritarianism and its psychological underpinnings.

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The Transformative Power of Wonder with Monica C. Parker Dec 04, 2023

Monica C. Parker has authored a remarkable book which was such a positive in the current concerning times. It is titled, The Power of Wonder: The Extraordinary Emotion That Will Change the Way You Live Learn and Lead. Our conversation delved into how this powerful emotion could revolutionize learning, relationships, work, and societal interactions in today’s world, increasingly fragmented by polarization, stress, and a lack of empathy. In an era overwhelmed by digital saturation and ideological extremes, the potential of wonder can be leveraged as a tool to restore balance, encourage open-mindedness, and foster positive social connections. Parker’s work underscores the transformative power of wonder, encouraging readers to rediscover and integrate this vital emotion into their daily lives. Looking for a boost? Or a new practice that will keep your energy and hope energized? Enjoy this wonderful conversation!

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Breaking the Chains: The Role of Mind Control in Human Trafficking with Rebecca Bender Nov 27, 2023

Human trafficking is defined in international law as the use of fraud, force, or coercion to enslave people. It is a scourge that operates not just through physical coercion but through the devastating use of mind control, a method of psychological enslavement. Rebecca Bender is a courageous survivor and advocate who works tirelessly to empower survivors, train law enforcement, do expert witness work, and assist policymakers. She created the Rebecca Bender Initiative and the online Elevate Academy, which empowers trafficking survivors over the age of eighteen to move forward with their lives. She found encouragement and mentorship from Carissa Phelps and Rachel Thomas, who, with me, developed the Ending the Game ten-session program for trafficking survivors under the age of eighteen. Understanding the tactics traffickers use is critical for prevention, as well as escape and recovery. My discussions with experts and survivors are not just academic; they are practical resources that shine a light on the manipulative strategies used in trafficking. Knowledge of these tactics can be lifesaving for anyone at risk or currently trapped. In this exploration, we delve deep into the intricate web of human trafficking, examining the various manipulative tactics employed by traffickers and the significant role that education and empowerment play in the recovery process.

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Kochland: The Secret History of Koch Industries and Corporate Power in America with Christopher Leonard Nov 20, 2023

Did you know that Koch Corporation is the second largest private business in the United States? That Fred Koch, father of David Koch, helped to found the John Birch Society? That Koch is one of the largest corporate lobbying entities in America. That their belief is libertarianism is a destructive ideology that undermines government functioning? That they have been promoting climate science denial for decades? What about that the way the organization functions it resembles a corporate cult? Koch is funding “free speech” that is causing so much dissention and hate speech. This was one of the most important interviews I have ever conducted. Want to understand one of the powerful forces influencing the GOP? Come give a listen!

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The Case for Debunking Medical Cannabis Myths with Peter Grinspoon, M.D. Nov 13, 2023

In his latest book, Seeing Through the Smoke: A Cannabis Specialist Untangles the Truth About Marijuana, Peter Grinspoon, M.D. has written an excellent, comprehensive, and authoritative book. Grinspoon is a primary care doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He has been a medical cannabis specialist for over twenty-five years. Dr. Grinspoon, a popular speaker, is frequently featured in the national media on issues such as cannabis, addiction, and physician health. His father, Harvard psychiatrist Lester Grinspoon published the well-respected but controversial book, Marihuana Reconsidered in 1971. Peter’s brother Danny suffered from leukemia and cannabis was the only thing to help him eat and prolong his life. Carl Sagan was a close family friend and was Dr. X in this book. This new book is truly a valuable book that approaches cannabis in a thoughtful, responsible manner so needed at this time. Peter does consultations, talks, and trainings and is truly an authority on this topic.

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How to Be Spiritual in These Crazy Times: A Guide with Philip Goldberg Nov 06, 2023

Philip Goldberg has been studying the world’s spiritual traditions for more than 50 years as a practitioner, teacher, and author. An ordained Interfaith Minister, spiritual counselor, and public speaker, he has presented at major venues throughout the U.S. and has been featured in numerous publications. He has authored or co-authored more than 25 books,and his latest offering is Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times: Powerful Tools to Cultivate Clarity, Calm and Courage. Phil has taught courses on various online platforms, hosts the Spirit Matters podcast, and serves on the board of the Association for Spiritual Integrity. Recognizing the prevalence of scandals and confusion surrounding spiritual teachers, the founders of the Association for Spiritual Integrity (ASI) seek to establish standards of practice and honor codes for ethical behavior within the spiritual community. This was a fascinating discussion.

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Troubled Teen Industry Abuse with Former Victim Melanie Friedman LCSW Oct 30, 2023

Do you worry about your teenager's safety and fear they could fall into the deceptive webs of manipulative, cult-like groups? Are you a desperate parent seeking intervention services for your struggling teen? If so, you can't afford to miss this interview with Melanie, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a survivor of the infamous Troubled Teen Industry —a largely unregulated web of residential behavior modification programs notorious for subjecting struggling teens to various forms of abuse. Our riveting dialogue focuses on these unregulated behavior modification programs' stark realities and untold abuses. Melanie's mission is to raise awareness and educate mental health professionals on coercive control settings like these. Why is this essential? Because desperate parents might unknowingly send their vulnerable teens into a dangerous commercial cult. Of course, there are legitimate therapeutic groups and settings but one needs to vet them extremely carefully and understand from former victims and experts what red flags to watch out for!

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The Assemblies of God; Secrets of a High Demand Church with Paul Jensen Oct 23, 2023

Growing up in the Assemblies of God, the second-largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States with approximately three million members, Paul Jensen witnessed firsthand the controversial culture and beliefs that define this religious movement. Founded in 1914 and initially considered a fringe group by mainstream Protestant denominations, the Assemblies of God gradually gained acceptance. However, as Paul discovered, this movement’s high-demand and questionable history are often concealed from public scrutiny. He shared his journey of discovery after growing up in the Assemblies of God, the world’s largest denomination of the Pentecostal and Charismatic “Spirit Led” movement. He reveals the little-known authoritarian cult roots of the Assemblies of God and how the church has created an official narrative that conceals its true history. Unfortunately, the protections of law that prohibit religious groups from engaging in supporting political campaigns has been sidestepped in the USA, so understanding the fraud used to control members and their beliefs that they “hear from God” has caused intense polarization with all who do not subscribe to their “certainty” of commitment.

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From MAGA Activist to National Healer with Rich Logis Oct 16, 2023

In a world marked by political extremes, high-control groups, and the Influence Continuum, the story of Rich Logis stands out as both compelling and enlightening. Formerly a true believer pundit for the MAGA movement, Rich’s transformation offers a deep dive into the mechanics of belief, mind control, the allure of belonging, and the power of self-reflection and transformation. Rich Logis was a podcaster and deeply committed MAGA activist. His journey resonates with what I’ve observed repeatedly: deceptive recruitment, emotional manipulation, and information control that exploits the deep-seated human need to belong and make a difference. Yet, the moment of awakening and subsequent transformation makes his narrative genuinely captivating. Now, as he says, he’s working to bring good news to the afflicted and to help others leave MAGA and exit the closed system of demonizing all opponents.

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Large Group Awareness Trainings (LGATs) Weaponize Dopamine to Manipulate People with John Hunter, PhD Oct 09, 2023

Large Group Awareness Trainings (LGATs) bill themselves as transformational multi-day workshops. You often feel pressured to attend, perhaps by your corporation or a family member or friend, and you are deliberately not told what will happen there. These workshops often utilize eight to twelve-hour marathon sessions to wear down a person's identity. According to research by South African Dr. John Hunter, they artificially create bipolar states in participants. Hunter offers a fresh and unique analytical framework to explain the highs people experience at the end of a "training." He is a researcher and lecturer based in Johannesburg. His interest in large group awareness trainings – and their impact on mood and psychosis – is grounded in his personal experience of bipolar disorder and his participation in an LGAT in 2010. Dr. Hunter put forward the Dopaminergic-Defense Hypothesis, which offers insights into both (i) the "transformational" experiences associated with LGAT participation and (ii) the common claims of psychological harm and problematic behavior associated with LGAT participation. In 2022, he published an article summarizing the mechanism behind the dopaminergic defense in the Journal for the Cognitive Science of Religion (Hunter, 2022). Hunter and I believe the stress and hyperarousal methods occur in many different environments including authoritarian cults and religious groups. This interview is fascinating.

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Utilizing Creative Therapies for Healing and Empowerment with Esther Friedman Oct 02, 2023

Esther Friedman is an expressive therapist and former five-year member of the Odyssey Study Group (OSG), a secretive cult utilizing the Gurdjieff ideology. Her excellent book is The Gentle Souls Revolution: A Secret Cult, an Open Rebellion, and Lessons in Protecting and Honoring Your Gentle Soul. This memoir and guide offer valuable insights and guidance for survivors of narcissistic abuse. It serves as a roadmap for those seeking to heal and rebuild their lives after leaving a cult. Through her personal experiences and professional expertise, Esther provides practical tools and strategies for navigating the complex emotions and challenges that arise after undue influence. The Gentle Souls Revolution also emphasizes the importance of self-expression and creativity in healing. Esther encourages survivors to explore their artistic side through writing, painting, music, or other creative expression. By engaging in these activities, survivors can tap into their inner strength, process their experiences, and find a sense of empowerment.

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Wisdom from the Psychedelic Underground with Rachel Harris, PhD Sep 25, 2023

One of the hottest topics in modern psychology is utilizing psychedelics to aid psychotherapy. Research is being conducted on the potentially beneficial use of substances like psilocybin, LSD, DMT, and MDMA in a controlled environment. In recent years, it’s gotten attention for its efficacy in treating treatment-resistant depression and PTSD, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety. Related to this is the psychedelic underground, a movement that similarly wants to use these substances to improve lives but takes a different, more spiritual approach. I spoke with Rachel Harris, who has experience in both, about this exciting world. Rachel is the author of Swimming in the Sacred: Wisdom from the Psychedelic Underground and Listening to Ayahuasca: New Hope for Depression, Addiction, PTSD, and Anxiety. A psychologist who has been in private practice for 40 years, she spent ten years in an academic research department where she published more than 40 scientific studies in peer-reviewed journals and received a National Institutes of Health New Investigator’s Award. Join us for the fascinating interview!

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Redemption and the Prison System with Ramadan Shabazz and Richard Parker, MD Sep 18, 2023

Ramadan was freed from prison on March 15th 2023, after 51 years of incarceration by the parole board and finally Governor Baker who commuted his life sentence. A Vietnam vet Shabazz suffered PTSD and drug addiction upon his return from service and got involved in armed robbery that resulted in the deaths of two innocent people. He was initially sentenced to death. Ramadan Shabazz is a rare success story and a model that proves a person who commits a horrible crime can reform and truly become a model citizen. In 1983, he began his 40-year association with the Parker family. While incarcerated, Ramadan earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree from Boston University. He also participated in programs to assist other prisoners with mental health struggles. Ramadan Shabazz and my friend, Dr. Richard Parker, joined me on the Influence Continuum podcast this week to discuss his life journey and the phenomenal effort to help him be a free man today. This is a heartwarming story which brings much needed light on a prison system that deserves reformation.

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Finding Her Way Out of Scientology’s Infamous Sea Org with Katherine Spallino Sep 11, 2023

With Scientologist celebrity Danny Masterson being sentenced to 30 years in jail for brutal rapes recently, I want people to hear from a woman who was forced to grow up in this notorious cult., Katherine Spallino, the author of a new book, The Bad Cadet: Growing Up in the Church of Scientology’s Sea Organization, has had quite a life journey. Katherine grew up on a secluded ranch within the cadet org, Scientology’s Sea Org school for children. At a young age, Katherine began to journal about her day-to-day life, capturing the thoughts and experiences of a child coming of age in a cult. Katherine’s background offers the rare opportunity to tell the story of the hundreds of children who rarely saw their parents and were indoctrinated to become future Sea Org members. The Sea Org is considered the “elite” part of the cult, and members are made to commit to a billion-year contract. In other words, this lifetime and many future lifetimes. Potential Sea Org members take part in both manual labor and indoctrination classes. Katherine’s book is unique because it is told by someone who journaled as a child.

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Surviving our Catastrophes: Celebrating the Resilience and Renewal of Survivors with Robert Jay Lifton, M.D. Sep 04, 2023

I speak with the acclaimed psychiatrist and my mentor, Robert Jay Lifton, M.D., about his new book, Surviving Our Catastrophes: Resilience and Renewal from Hiroshima to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Lifton’s research on thought reform and the psychology of totalism, specifically his study on “brainwashing” in China, has been widely regarded as groundbreaking. His book Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism (1961) was used in my deprogramming. It was Lifton who encouraged my career which has spanned 47 years. In this new book, Lifton delves into “Survivor Power” and the transformation from victimhood to survivorship. He emphasizes the importance of drawing on the knowledge and wisdom gained from surviving traumatic experiences to continue living meaningful lives. The book takes inspiration from historical examples of survivors who have endured unimaginable suffering and trauma. Lifton highlights the remarkable responses of individuals who, in the face of unspeakable horror, have created activist movements, converted their experiences into art and literature, and demonstrated the resilience of the human spirit. From the people of Hiroshima, who responded to the atomic bombing by creating an activist “city of peace,” to the survivors of Nazi death camps who combated mass killing and showcased their healing through art and literature, these examples serve as beacons of hope.

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The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump and Censorship of Experts with Bandy X. Lee M.D. Aug 28, 2023

I talk with the forensic psychiatrist and an internationally recognized expert on violence who edited the best-selling book, The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President. Years after she and other mental health experts warned Trump was unfit and a danger to the public, we continue to see vivid proof that the public has suffered by censoring experts! Her recent book is Profile of a Nation: Trump’s Mind, America’s Soul. What was behind the mainstream media silencing of credible experts like Dr. Lee and myself? We discuss this and many important topics like the “duty to warn” and the importance of mental health, especially in people who are supposed to be public servants. We discuss the 25th Amendment of the Constitution and how it could be bolstered to prevent anyone who is so grossly incompetent from coming to the Presidency again. We also discuss the corrupt and authoritarian family court system in the United States- the subject of a forthcoming book.

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Chinese Netizen’s Protests and Freedom of Mind as a Human Right with Matthew Bywater Aug 21, 2023

Did you know that my BITE Model of Authoritarian Control was translated into Chinese and used by Chinese netizens during the November 2022 protests in China against the zero covid lockdown policy? This week’s fascinating interview is with Matt Bywater, who lived in China for years teaching English and who is now on a quest to do a PhD to create a new internationally recognized human right: Freedom of Mind.

Matthew Bywater learned about Freedom of Mind from a statement on the World Mental Health Coalition founded by forensic psychiatrist Bandy X. Lee. Dr. Bandy X. Lee edited the best-selling book, The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, with 37 experts weighing in on Trump. This work seeks to establish a political and legal framework for incorporating freedom of mind within the international human rights architecture.

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Identifying and Healing Religious Trauma, with Darren M. Slade, Ph.D. Aug 14, 2023

In my book, The Cult of Trump, I identify many groups who are deeply involved in politics and influence believers to vote according to the leader’s direction of who is “godly.” Here to discuss his experiences with this and his evolution away from religion is Dr. Darren M. Slade, a graduate of the controversial Liberty University’s seminary and apologetics program. Darren is a professor of history and comparative religion in Denver, Colorado. He specializes in the socio-political development of religious belief systems. He serves as the Director of the North American Committee on Religious Trauma Research. He is also the President of the Global Center for Religious Research (GCRR.org) and Founding Editor of the peer-reviewed academic journal Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry (SHERMjournal.org).

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Exiting the Cult of Trump with #Jan6er Pam Hemphill Aug 07, 2023

Pam is a 70-year-old Boise, Idaho resident, who, while recovering from cancer treatment traveled to Washington, DC and was arrested, charged and sentenced for her connection to the January 6th 2021 attack. Hemphill pled guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, 36 months of probation and fined $500 in restitution. Jack Smith has now announced that Trump has been indicted and faces four counts of Federal charges for his activity regarding the insurrection attempt. Pam Hemphill has been active calling out Trump and the MAGA cult for using her for propaganda on his Truth Social platform. Hemphill chose to plead guilty and has said the Capitol police saved her life from being trampled. I hope many more ex-members will speak up and renounce the Cult of Trump. Pam and I talk about her being harassed since speaking out, strategies for messaging and healing techniques. Join us for this fascinating conversation.

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Sins of my Father: Growing up with America's Most Dangerous White Supremacist with Kelvin Pierce Jul 31, 2023

Kelvin’s father, Dr. William Pierce, was a notorious white supremacist and founded the National Alliance, a prominent hate group. Dr. Pierce wrote the novel The Turner Diaries, which racists widely cite as inspiration for their racist beliefs and actions. Kelvin was subjected to physical and emotional abuse and was taught to believe that Jews and non-whites were responsible for society's ills. Despite the personal abuse he suffered, Kelvin accepted his father's teachings and held onto these racist beliefs as he transitioned into adulthood. It shaped his worldview and interactions with others, even though he didn't openly broadcast these beliefs. Kelvin was able to shed his indoctrination, create the charitable organization "Divine Child Foundation" to help orphans in Georgia, publish his memoir, and live a life of activism and inspiration in fighting racism and extremism.

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The Rod of Fear: Combating Gun Violence with Jonathan Lowy Jul 24, 2023

Gun-related deaths are already over 17,000 as of May of this year. In 2021, they were at their highest ever at almost 50,000 murders, suicides, and accidental deaths involving firearms. These statistics are personal to me due to my experiences in the Moonies cult with the Rod of Iron Ministries, Kahr Arms, the AR15 factory, and two compounds (TN and TX) training people for civil war. I spoke with expert Jonathan Lowy who told me he successfully sued Kahr Arms. Jonathan founded Global Action on Gun Violence, a nonprofit working with the international community to stop gun trafficking and violence through litigation, human rights, and other strategies. He has been litigating and advocating against gun violence for over 25 years. He helped win over $100 million for victims in verdicts and settlements, created the precedent that holds gun companies accountable and reformed dangerous gun industry practices. His articles include “The Right Not to Be Shot.” He has been named one of the 500 leading lawyers in America for over ten years by Lawdragon magazine.

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Unmasking the Kundalini Yoga Cult of Yogi Bhajan With Els Coenen Jul 17, 2023

Under the Yoga Mat: The Dark History of Bhajan’s Kundalini Yoga, is a new book that helps expose the destructive authoritarian cult of Yogi Bhajan, Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization (3HO). When allegations of half a century of concealed abuse and criminal actions by Bhajan and his associates came to light in early 2020, which impacted the lives of hundreds of his followers and their children, Els Coenen, Ph.D., felt compelled to stop teaching and promoting kundalini Yoga and wish to help reveal the facts. In 2021, she created the website Abuse in Kundalini Yoga, a platform aimed at exposing and addressing sexual abuse, child abuse, homophobia, exploitation, business fraud, and drugs and arms trafficking within the community. If you have ever seen white-turbaned people calling themselves Sikhs, done yoga, or gone to a workshop, you will be educated about the reality of this billion-dollar corporate empire.

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Forager: Field Notes on Surviving a Family Cult with Michelle Dowd Jul 10, 2023

Michelle’s memoir, Forager: Field Notes on Surviving a Family Cult, showcases her life growing up on an isolated mountain in California as part of an apocalyptic cult and how she found her way out of poverty and illness by drawing on the gifts of the wilderness. Michelle was raised on a mountain in the Angeles National Forest, where she learned to identify flora and fauna, navigate by the stars, forage for edible plants, and care for the earth. A highly accomplished journalism professor and contributor to many top national publications, she was the 2022 Faculty Lecturer of the Year at Chaffey College. She founded the award-winning literary journal and creative collective, The Chaffey Review, advises Student Media, and teaches poetry and critical thinking in the California Institutions for Men and Women in Chino. Interestingly, former Manson follower Leslie Van Houten assisted her courses for incarcerated women. We discussed her and her hopefully impending release from jail.

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Country Over Party: An Interview with Denver Riggleman Jul 03, 2023

The Breach: The Untold Story of the Investigation into January 6th is former Republican congressman Denver Riggleman’s book as a senior technical advisor for the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the US Capitol. Denver Riggleman has served for over two decades as an intelligence officer, NSA adviser, federal contractor, research and development technology lead, and successful CEO of support companies for the Department of Defense. A veteran of the Global War on Terror and multiple worldwide operations, he served honorably in the US Air Force for nine active-duty years. We discuss his exit of the LDS (Mormons) and being shunned. Also his conviction to stand up for his values and to put his country over his party. This was a truly fascinating conversation.

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Forensic Psychologist and Cult Expert Dr. Steve Eichel on Hypnosis, Social Contagion, and Disinformation Jun 26, 2023

There are few people in the field of forensic psychology with the training, background, and experience of Dr. Steve Eichel. In 1975, almost a year before I was deprogrammed from the Moonies, he decided to do his dissertation research on my former cult. He has had a long distinguished career, serving as the President of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), and remains an active member of their Board of Directors. He has been published extensively in the field and has served as an expert witness on undue influence in many cases. I asked him about his experience working for the defense in the case of DC sniper Lee Boyd Malvo. Steve joined the podcast to discuss these experiences and his expertise in therapeutic hypnosis. He was one of the experts I interviewed in researching my last book, The Cult of Trump.

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The Brainwashing of My Dad with Jen Senko Jun 19, 2023

With Trump’s Indictment, the GOP is being described as the Cult of Trump, and the other GOP candidates are scrambling to figure out how to position themselves. Come listen to a fascinating talk with the award-winning documentarian Jen Senko on her film, The Brainwashing of My Dad, and the book based on it. Jen Senko’s experience with her father, Frank, hits close to home for many Americans today. Frank was a happy-go-lucky progressive Democrat when he came across a talk radio show hosted by Bob Grant. He started being more critical of Democrats and was somewhat combative about it. When he fully retired, he discovered Rush Limbaugh and listened to him for three hours daily. Then he started watching Fox News. At that point, his personality changed. He was always angry and couldn’t have discussions with his family anymore without them turning to politics. She delves into the experts who use social psychology to recruit and indoctrinate people. The good news is her father comes back to himself—a fascinating interview. Of course, as the author of the Cult of Trump, I weigh in.

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YOU-KNOW-WHO: An Alienated Daughter’s Memoir with Dana Laquidara Jun 12, 2023

Parental alienation is a highly destructive form of undue influence where one parent systematically manipulates their children to reject the other parent. This damaging form of psychological abuse not only disrupts family dynamics but can also leave lasting emotional scars on the child, potentially impacting their development, mental health, and future relationships. Often, children are not only alienated from their mother or their father but the entire side of the family, traumatizing all who are related. The BITE Model of Authoritarian Control can be used to analyze any case. I have previously done multiple blogs on this topic. Dana Laquidara, a professional author and writer, brings a unique perspective as an adult survivor of parental alienation. Through this memoir, she seeks to raise awareness and support parents and children ensnared in this devastating form of mind control and abuse.

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QAnon, Chaos and the Cross: Christianity and Conspiracy Theories with Dr. Michael Austin and Dr. Gregory Bock Jun 05, 2023

Dr. Austin and Dr. Bock are accomplished Christian scholars with extensive experience in ethics and philosophy. Although I am Jewish by faith, I support the principles of Christianity and all major religions that promote truth, peace, love, and forgiveness. Their collaborative work, QAnon, Chaos, and the Cross, is a compendium of essays exploring the rise of conspiracies like QAnon, an online conspiracy group I wrote about in my book, The Cult of Trump. Their book raises awareness about the allures and pitfalls of conspiracy theories and draws upon Christian principles for discerning truth from misinformation and fostering productive dialogues. Anger and fear are potent emotions that tend to override our critical thinking and common sense, sometimes leading to falling out with loved ones who have an opposing view to our own. Accepting a conspiracy theory as fact does not make a person weak, stupid, or gullible. This is an extremely important interview that I believe everyone would benefit from listening to.

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Elizabeth Holmes’ Theranos Corporate Cult with Dr. Dennis Tourish May 29, 2023

Elizabeth Holmes, founder and CEO of Theranos, was convicted of fraud and sentenced to 11 years in jail. Her company claimed to be able to determine health issues from merely a pinprick of blood. She conned many famous, educated people, and the company was valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. Dr. Dennis Tourish is a Professor of Leadership and Organization Studies at the University of Sussex Business School and wrote a journal article on Theranos as an authoritarian corporate cult. Dr. Tourish was himself involved in a left-wing political cult and wrote the book On the Edge: Political Cults on the Right and Left with Tim Wohlforth. In 2023, understanding how corporations can act like authoritarian cults is vital for everyone to understand.

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Playing God: American Catholic Bishops and the Far Right with Mary Jo McConahay May 22, 2023

For anyone interested in understanding why religious extremism has such a large influence in America, this fascinating interview focuses on an elite group of Catholic Bishops who oppose the current Pope and his policies of wishing to move the Church away from its abusive authoritarian past. Want to understand more about our current Supreme Court and why they demonstrated that they lied during their confirmation hearings when they said that Roe v. Wade was established law after fifty years. As soon as they had the majority, they showed their true allegiance, and it wasn't to the law and the majority of the American people. Mary Jo McConahay is a Catholic journalist who takes the position of supporting the changes in Vatican 2, which included allowing the mass to be given in languages other than Latin. Vatican 2 stated categorically that Jews were not Christ-killers but affirmed God is Almighty and that His promise to Abraham was eternal. We discuss the Manhattan Declaration which was signed by Catholics and Protestants to work together to undermine gay rights, and women’s right to choose and to promote the freedom to religious impose their version of religion on all others.

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The Gaslight Effect: Protecting Yourself from Emotional Abuse with Dr. Robin Stern May 15, 2023

The term ‘gaslight effect’ was introduced by Dr. Robin Stern in her 2007 book to describe the long-term consequences of persistent gaslighting, a subtle and often hidden form of emotional abuse. Gaslighting is a devastating form of undue influence. It occurs when an individual manipulates another person by distorting, twisting, and dismissing their experiences, making them question their memories, perceptions, and reality. Gaslighting can occur in a romantic relationship, among family members, in the workplace, within mind control cults as well as by politicians. Robin Stern, Ph.D., has been a practicing psychoanalyst for over thirty years and is the co-founder and associate director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. She’s the author of The Gaslight Effect and the newly released The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide.

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Concerns with The Seventh Day Adventist Church with Dr. Steve Daily May 08, 2023

The Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) is a widely recognized Christian organization with around 20 million members worldwide. However, many of its beliefs and practices fall under my BITE Model of Authoritarian Control, which I developed to evaluate control of Behavior, Information, Thoughts, and Emotions. To gain more insight into this organization, I invited Dr. Steve Daily, a former pastor of the SDA, to share his valuable personal and professional experiences. Dr. Steve Daily is a licensed psychologist, church historian, and accomplished author who has written 28 books, including 11 on Seventh-day Adventism and its founder Ellen G. White. He grew up in an Adventist home and received his education from Adventist institutions. In 2010, Dr. Daily left Adventism and went on to work as a psychologist at UCLA. Since then, he has become an outspoken critic of founder Ellen G. White and the Adventist Church, authoring Ellen G. White A Psychobiography. The book explores whether the accusations of fraud and pathology leveled against her over the years stand up to historical and psychological scrutiny.

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Overcoming Sleep Challenges with Dr. Lauren Broch, Psychologist, and Sleep Specialist May 01, 2023

Did you know most people need 7-9 hours of quality sleep to function optimally? Sleep deprivation is one of the most common and powerful techniques for weakening psychological defenses. It is one of the most significant policies in the Behavior Control criteria of the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control. I recently had the opportunity to interview sleep expert Dr. Lauren Broch to gain a deeper insight into prevalent sleep issues that individuals face and to explore effective sleep hygiene habits that can help to overcome these obstacles. Dr. Lauren Broch is a clinical psychologist, nutritionist, and sleep disorders specialist who takes a holistic approach to address various sleep, mood, and health issues.

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Attorney Faith Jones, ex-Children of God, on “I Own Me” Apr 24, 2023

International corporate attorney and strategic business advisor Faith Jones is a phenomenon. She authored two books: Sex Cult Nun and I Own Me. She explains her model for utilizing the law regarding undue influence in a great TEDx talk: I Own Me: Understanding Our Property Rights to Our Own Bodies. Faith Jones is an inspiration to all women and especially to those born and raised in authoritarian cults. Join us for a fascinating discussion.

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Attorney Bobby Samini and former ICOC leader Michele Roland discuss their lawsuits on behalf of former members of this Bible cult Apr 17, 2023

Shepherding/discipling Bible cults like the International Churches of Christ have an authoritarian structure with the “apostle” or “prophet” being the person closest to God and everyone else having a human to disciple over them all the way down. It is patently abusive by its nature as it is based on submission of one’s own conscience and following directions of a person who is in the “role of Jesus” over them. Lawsuits are being filed on behalf of those victimized in the cult, some of whom were sexually assaulted in the group and no responsible action was taken. Over one million people have been involved with this group, most of whom have exited. Most have never spoken out about the abuses they experienced- including breaking sessions, excessive pressure to donate money, or the loss of their personal autonomy and sense of self. If you are interested in legal issues or have been in a controlling Christian group of any kind, you will want to listen to this fascinating episode.

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Watchtower Society: Understanding the Jehovah's Witnesses with Isaac Carmignani Apr 10, 2023

The Jehovah's Witnesses have millions of members and are well-known for their door-to-door solicitation and distribution of materials, such as their Watchtower and Awake! magazines. However, most people do not realize the authoritarian BITE Model policies that affect their believers. Former elder Isaac Carmignani, a friend and colleague, shares the critically important facts about the Jehovah's Witnesses. Did you know they have prophesied at least 4 times that Armageddon would occur in a particular year? Or that Bible scholars say their version is wrong? Or that they practice corporal punishment? Prohibit blood transfusions? Shun former members? Or that they have had a huge pedophile problem for many decades? They are very nice, hard-working people, but involvement in this group has caused much suffering and harm worldwide.

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Birth, Parenting, and Empowerment with Birth Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and New Parent Educator Julie Hartman Apr 03, 2023

On the ethical side of the Influence Continuum, we invite an expert to discuss preparing how to do ethical parenting. Julie Hartman is a Certified Birth Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and New Parent Educator. She supports families in the perinatal period through support groups and teaching classes on living with a newborn. Most importantly, she is the mom of three adult children and can connect with the people she works with through shared experiences. We discuss what a doula and lactation counselor is, as many people are unaware. Julie tells us a birth doula is often confused with a midwife, but they are different. Whereas the role of a midwife requires formal medical training, birth doulas support the family before, during, and after birth. They assist the family in empowering and speaking up for themselves so that they can advocate for their needs in the birthing process. Birth Doulas also help educate families on the decisions that could need to be made during a hospital birth so there are no surprises and families can think those options through before they are in the heat of the moment. Julie shares her expertise in ethical, positive parenting techniques.

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Freeing People from Indoctrination with Rachel Bernstein, LMFT Mar 27, 2023

Working with people in cults or who have escaped them requires much empathy, compassion, and knowledge. Rachel Bernstein has all those and more, which she’s used for the last 30 years in her work in cult intervention and re-acclimation. I have known and worked with Rachel for many decades now. Bernstein is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) from Los Angeles, California. She is the host of IndoctriNATION: A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control, where she has interviewed hundreds of cult survivors, journalists, and experts.

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Nazis in Copley Square: The Forgotten History of the Christian Front with Charles R. Gallagher Mar 20, 2023

Rachel Maddow’s podcast, Ultra, is about Nazism in the United States in the 1930s and 1940s. She based her podcast on the scholarly work of a Jesuit historian Professor Charles R. Gallagher, and his award-winning book. I was fascinated to learn more and discovered that he teaches at nearby Boston College. So we met for lunch, and he kindly consented to this fascinating interview. I learned that the Nazis sent agents such as Charles Scholtz to Boston to recruit and radicalize Americans. These agents wanted to prevent the United States from coming to the defense of the United Kingdom and other European countries. The Nazis did not want America to help Jews who were persecuted and exterminated. Father Charles Coughlin was a Roman Catholic priest and radio personality with a listenership of 30 million people. He was a vocal supporter of the Christian Front. He praised Hitler’s efforts to combat communism and advocated for a similar approach in the United States. Coughlin also used his radio broadcasts to spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and to attack Jewish people and Jewish-owned businesses. Coughlin also supported fascist regimes in Europe. In the 1940s, Coughlin and some of his followers began to plot a violent coup to overthrow the US government. The Nazis are still actively promoting violent fascism.

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How Online Spaces and Communities are Indoctrinating Gen Z and Gen A with Chloe Combi Mar 13, 2023

An international researcher and author, Chloe Combi, is a leading authority on Generation Z (those born between 1999 and 2009). Having interviewed over 10,000 members of Gen Z, she provides invaluable insights into what the next decade and beyond will bring. The digital age has brought about a massive change in the way we think, feel, communicate, and behave. For young people born and raised in a digital world, being online for an average of eleven hours a day affects not only their brain development, such as shortened attention span, ability to concentrate, social skills, and mental well-being. As well as this, young people’s need for connection and belonging is being exploited by unhealthy ‘influencers’ online, who are using the internet to indoctrinate and radicalize them.

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Born Into and Married in the Moon cult with Elgen Strait Mar 06, 2023

Want to know more about the Moonies? This week, we talk with Elgen Strait, who was not only born into the Moonies but participated in an arranged mass marriage ceremony (the so-called “blessing”). His parents were active members when I was in the cult in the 1970s. He’s a fellow survivor. Strait hosts Falling Out with Elgen Strait, a podcast focused on the experiences of second-generation survivors of the Moonies. This episode goes into not only the abuse of children but also the trafficking of people. There are many “second generation” cult members now exiting and speaking up. This is a valuable episode.

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Autism, Extremism, and Protecting the Vulnerable with Dr. Tony Attwood Feb 27, 2023

Wish to learn more about the psychology of Elon Musk and Aspergers Syndrome? In this episode, I am honored to interview Dr. Tony Attwood, one of the world’s foremost experts on Autism Spectrum Disorder. His first book, Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, is widely considered the foundational book on the subject. In past decades, I have had many clients who were on the spectrum and I long ago realized they are particularly vulnerable to authoritarian cults, as well as being radicalized online to do acts of terrorism. Years ago I taught an online webinar to warm folks and their families about their vulnerability to undue influence. Folks on the spectrum can be absolute geniuses and over the centuries have made major contributions. That said, these gifts can be manipulated and abused to harm or help others. Join me in this incredible learning experience.

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Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right with Anne Nelson Feb 20, 2023

Ever heard of the Council for National Policy? Wish to understand this alliance of far-right wealthy donors and operators (which includes my former cult, the Moonies)? For everyone who cares about America and democracy worldwide, this interview is vitally important. Anne Nelson talks to us about this and more, including her book Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right. Nelson is a prize-winning writer, contributing to the New Republic, the Washington Spectator, and the Times Literary Supplement. She is also a research scholar at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

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Mormonism, Mental Health, and Whistleblowing with Dr. John Dehlin Feb 13, 2023

Whistleblowers often suffer consequences for speaking out, and our guest Dr. John Dehlin knows that first-hand. A 6th generation member, he was excommunicated from the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) for speaking up about gay rights and the suicide problem within the LDS church. They didn't like him raising those issues, but he persevered and is now helping others find their way out of religious faith crises and transition to a free life. Dr. Dehlin holds a master's degree in instructional technology and a Ph.D. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. His interests revolve around the nexus of religion and mental health, emphasizing navigating religious faith crises and LGBTQ religious identity conflict. He is the CEO of the Open Stories Foundation. Yes, The BITE Model fits the LDS Church. The FLDS is much more destructive and extreme on the Influence Continuum. This is a blockbuster interview!

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Recruited at Sarah Lawrence College into the Larry Ray Cult with Daniel Barban Levin Feb 06, 2023

On January 20th, 2023, Larry Ray was sentenced to 60 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy, violent crime in aid of racketeering, extortion, sex trafficking, forced labor, tax evasion, and money laundering offenses. Daniel Barban Levin escaped the cult and used writing to process his mind control experience. He also wanted to do something to help his friends, who were still psychologically imprisoned. His memoir, Slonim Woods 9, published in 2021, was a revealing and poetic description of his time in a mind control cult. Hulu releases its docuseries this week–Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence.

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The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty and Protecting Children with Marci Hamilton Jan 30, 2023

Did you know that current American law looks at children as property? Even though we know corporal punishment has been banned by most civilized countries, it is legal in the USA due to the religious lobby. Hamilton is a law professor as well as the Founder and CEO of CHILD USA, www.childusa.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit academic think tank dedicated to interdisciplinary, evidence-based research to improve laws and public policy to end child abuse and neglect. She is the author of God vs. the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty, (2009, Cambridge University Press), Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect Its Children (2012, Cambridge University Press), and co-author of Children and the Law (2017, Carolina Academic Press). This is one of the most important interviews that I have ever done with one of the great activists of our day.

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Training Therapists to Work in Post-Cult Counseling with Dr. Gillie Jenkinson Jan 23, 2023

Herself a former cult member and accredited psychotherapist in the U.K., is an international speaker, director of Hope Valley Counselling and author of the new book, Walking Free from the Trauma of Coercive, Cultic, and Spiritual Abuse: A Workbook for Recovery and Growth. Most people require specialized counseling to recover from an experience of cult indoctrination. But many therapists that work with former members are not trained to help with the after-effects of mind control and cult-related problems, such as the formation of a pseudo “cult identity.” Inspired by her experience of encountering unethical and inexperienced therapists, Gillie created an approach to counseling former members, which she calls Post-Cult Counselling (PCC), that brings together ethical therapy and the knowledge of cults.

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Cured: Strengthen Your Immune System and Heal Your Life with Jeffrey Rediger, MD Jan 16, 2023

Dr. Rediger, MD, MDiv, is a board-certified psychiatrist, best-selling author, and popular speaker. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is on the faculty at Harvard Medical School and has served as Medical Director of McLean SE Adult psychiatry and Community Affairs at McLean Hospital for many years. He has spent years researching cases of what doctors call “spontaneous remission” and what others call “miracles.” We discuss the terribly broken medical care system that fails to see a whole person rather than a set of symptoms or diseases in “silos.” He talks about specific scientifically validated cases where people were given a terminal diagnosis and yet, lived. He focuses on the immune system and not only eliminating what is sabotaging it (lack of sleep, sugar, refined foods, and more) and what we can do to help ourselves heal ourselves. This one you won't want to miss!

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Unveiled: Discovering the Truth Behind Islamic Extremism with Yasmine Mohammed Jan 09, 2023

Yasmine was raised in an extreme Islamic household and was married to a man who turned out to be an Al-Qaeda terrorist. She is a tireless human rights campaigner advocating for the rights of women living within Muslim-majority countries as well as those who struggled under religious fundamentalism in general. She is the founder of Free Hearts Free Minds, an organization providing mental health support for members of the LGBTQ+ community and free thinkers living within Muslim-majority countries where both “crimes” can be punished by execution. I wish to support women’s equal rights everywhere, and please join me for a very important interview on her book and her work.

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Former Trump Attorney Michael Cohen on His Experience in The Cult of Trump Jan 02, 2023

The host of the Mea Culpa podcast and author of the #1 best-selling book, Disloyal: A Memoir, and now with his latest book Revenge: How Donald Trump Weaponized the Department of Justice Against His Critics. So much has happened that is timely with the 2nd anniversary of the Jan 6th violent attempted coup. His latest book is an indictment of Trump weaponizing the Department of Justice, headed by AG Bill Barr. Putting Cohen in jail- solitary confinement for 51 days! Learn more about this horrendous abuse of power. This is a great interview!

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Growing Up in Scientology and the Aftermath Foundation with Aaron Smith-Levin Dec 26, 2022

Being raised in an authoritarian cult and exiting is usually a very difficult and traumatic experience. Many people have learned about the cult of Hubbard, Scientology, and Aaron Smith-Levin signed a billion-year commitment when he entered the SeaOrg- the elite troops of the cult. There have been many books, podcasts, and documentaries about Scientology. Aaron started a very successful YouTube Channel Growing up in Scientology and is the vice president of the Aftermath Foundation, a non-profit aimed at helping former members to recover. Three former Sea Org members who were inducted as children are currently suing the cult and David Miscavige, its head, for labor trafficking. Join us for this fascinating interview!

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Helping to counsel people in the UK with Cult Issues with Christian Szurko Dec 19, 2022

My interview with the founder of the non-profit DialogCentre UK, Christian Szurko, shares his decades of experience helping people involved with abusive, controlling cults and relationships since 1973. A former member of Yogananda (Autobiography of a Yogi), Christian was mentored by a pastoral counselor, moved to England, and has been actively helping people reclaim their personal power and reenter society. This is a fascinating interview, and we cover many essential topics, from the need to focus more on helping people recover from authoritarian cults and not just “get them out.” We discuss the need for active listening, developing accurate mental maps, radicalization online, and the activism some of us have done over many decades offers a unique perspective to providing solutions. Join us in this fascinating discussion!

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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BELIEVING THE IRRATIONAL AND DISPELLING IT – A HOW TO with Michael Shermer Dec 12, 2022

A very important conversation with one of the top skeptics in the world about his new, excellent book, Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational. Dr. Shermer is the Founding Publisher of Skeptic magazine, the host of the podcast The Michael Shermer Show, and a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University, where he teaches Skepticism 101. For 18 years, he has been a monthly columnist for Scientific American. In this interview, you will learn about the biology that motivates people to believe in conspiracy theories as well as understand there are, in fact, actual conspiracies. The important thing is understanding what one needs to consider in order to accept a belief about a conspiracy as “true.” Shermer gives very practical, good advice on how to interact with folks that mirrors my work of what is effective. Most importantly–being willing to be curious, respectful, ask good questions, don’t be emotional or attack the individual and much more. Please check it out.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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From Growing Up in the Jehovah’s Witnesses to Counseling People Who Wish to Exit it with Frances Peters Dec 05, 2022

Come join me in this fascinating interview with Frances Peters who lives in the Netherlands and has a coaching and counseling practice serving people who are former members of a large variety of authoritarian cults, including the one she was raised in. The journey out of a cult for someone raised in it differs from working with someone recruited later in life. This conversation will be of interest to all, but especially to second-generation cult members as well as counselors, spouses, and anyone interested in different approaches to helping. Working with former members is a unique specialization and Frances Peters has a wonderful reputation. I am so pleased to share this interview with her.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Former Cult of Trump member and Congressman Joe Walsh on the Political Scene in the United States Nov 28, 2022

Former Republican congressman and Tea Party advocate, Joe Walsh discusses his realizations about Trump and how he has been dissed by the MAGA powers in the GOP. He started “Center Street Pac” to help elect any politician devoted to putting country over party, in service of freedom. Joe has a podcast of his own, “White Flag with Joe Walsh” where he talks with progressives as well as GOD folks willing to discuss what has happened to the United States. Joe and I discuss Twitter, free speech, and libertarianism, and agree we all need to lower the temperature and get more people talking together to each other. Our current system is broken with dark money and bad actors manipulating the media and politics. So it is a fascinating important conversation that offers some ideas and directions for hope.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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How Evangelical Christianity morphed into a Political Machine, Became Anti-Abortion, and into NAR with Frank Schaeffer Nov 21, 2022

For anyone with a background in Evangelical Christianity, Francis Schaeffer is regarded as royalty. He has written books that sold many millions of copies and two films were made by his namesake son to promote them. This interview is one of the most important ones for people to listen to if they really wish to understand what has happened to Christianity in America. Frank Schaeffer, a New York Times best-selling author, and host of the podcast, In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer, was homeschooled and raised in an evangelical/fundamentalist home and bears firsthand testimony of how his father’s life work was corrupted into a movement that wishes to secure political power, money, and control over people’s lives. Frank Schaeffer is a brilliant, creative man who truly cares about people and improving the world. Come listen to this incredible interview! Learn more about Frank at www.lovechildrenplanet.com.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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The Traumatizing Narcissist's Relational System, with Daniel Shaw LCSW Nov 14, 2022

Daniel Shaw is a psychotherapist in New York City, and author of 2 books on the subject of traumatic narcissism. He left the Siddha Yoga cult in 1994, after more than a decade of living and working for it. In this interview we discuss his concept of the relational system of the traumatizing narcissist, that explains the psychology of cult leaders and abusers and helps survivors of narcissistic abuse in their recovery. There are many “experts” on narcissist abuse but this framework is uniquely helpful.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Humiliation, Media Shaming, Trauma, and work with the FLDS with Dr. Christine Marie Nov 07, 2022

Media shaming has been around for decades. Now, we live with the Internet and 24/7 information cycles. Sensationalism and misinformation can create harmful media which is accessible forever. The adverse effects on everyday people’s lives are monumental and sometimes deadly. Dr. Christine Marie specializes in media psychology, a field that is becoming more important than ever, given the proliferation of media sources. Media influence can lead to shame, humiliation, and complex PTSD. Join us in this important interview. Then we turn to her work with the nonprofit Voices For Dignity. A survivor and an academic, she and her husband live in Colorado City, Arizona, and help members of the FLDS cult.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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REWIRED: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age with Carl D. Marci, M.D. Oct 31, 2022

Rewired is one of the most important new books I have read that has yet to get significant media attention. Dr. Marci is a Harvard psychiatrist and social neuroscientist who uses incontrovertible scientific evidence in this remarkable and sobering book. He has a chapter titled ‘The Power of the Prefrontal Cortex’ that describes it as the ‘most highly evolved part of the modern human brain.’ It performs executive functions and is an ‘orchestral conductor of neuronal symphonies’ in our brain. One of the central premises of this book is that our obsession with social media and cell phones is rewiring our brains and causing irreversible damage. Specific advice on what we can do to have a healthy tech-life balance is given and discussed. Please listen to this fascinating and essential conversation at this pivotal time in human history. We need to control our technology and not allow our technology to control or unduly influence us.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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The Game is Up: Disillusioned Trump Voters Tell Their Stories Oct 24, 2022

Please listen to this interview with two-time Emmy award-winning filmmaker Melissa Jo Peltier about this documentary. Former tea party congressman Joe Walsh, David Weissman, Batya Goldberg, and other former voters for Trump share their realizations about how destructive Trump has been for America. Several experts were interviewed for this project, including myself, talking about my book, The Cult of Trump. Let’s amplify the voices of former believers in Trump! Let’s expand the exit ramp to using conscience and employing American values. Let’s not shame or denigrate folks for being sucked into the Republican machine. Help us end the polarization, and let’s make a large exit ramp for folks to be able to reevaluate their involvement. Let’s begin a more informed conversation about our future. This essential documentary movie is now widely available on Amazon, Google Play, and other venues. Please see https://thegameisupmovie.com/ for more information.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Beware the Metaverse: Dr. Rand Waltzman discusses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet Oct 17, 2022

Please join me in a profound but disturbingly honest conversation with one of the world’s true experts in Artificial Intelligence. The Information Professionals Association (IPA) co-founder, Dr. Rand Waltzman, has over 40 years of experience performing and managing research in AI applied to domains including social media and cognitive security in the information environment. His distinguished career includes being the former Deputy Chief Technology Officer and Senior Information Scientist at the Rand Corporation. His perspective is dire. He says that without dramatic intervention into data privacy and technology regulations worldwide, those with power will be able to conduct massive mind control at scale, as we see in current dictatorships. He agrees that the human mind is easily manipulated, provided a person doesn’t understand how social psychology principles and propaganda techniques are being used on them. There is no freedom without responsibility. Virtual Reality (VR) technology is able to obtain vast amounts of information about a user’s mind that can be used to manipulate and control them.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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A BILLION YEARS: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology with Mike Rinder Oct 10, 2022

Mike Rinder escaped his 46 years of Scientology, having achieved the #3 spot of power and head of their intelligence unit OSA. His new book helps pull back the curtain on many aspects of this notorious authoritarian cult. He starred with Leah Remini on Scientology and the Aftermath, and now their podcast Fair Game. In this special interview, I cover some essential details that folks (especially cult watchers) will wish to know. For example, he answers my specific questions that help connect the dots with the criminal activity and mind control that Hubbard enshrined into cult doctrine. In this age of mass radicalization, understanding Scientology cult mind control offers a window to understand how intelligent and educated people can fall prey to malignant narcissists. It also proves that people (including top leaders) can exit and become contributing members of society.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted with Kristi Nelson Oct 03, 2022

Join me in a thoroughly uplifting episode with author Kristi Nelson. Kristi is a very special person, bright, educated, accomplished in the world of non-profit leadership. She is a wounded healer, having survived a terminal diagnosis of stage 4 cancer and lived. I rarely encounter a book where I agree with everything in it. I feel energized by practicing this simple but difficult practice. I tend to think and worry too much in a way that is draining. By reminding yourself to put your attention on all the good things, all the body parts that you still have and are in working order, the beauty of nature, the awesomeness of being alive empowers and enlivens me. Please join me in listening to this episode and I highly recommend listening to her read this wonderful book afterward.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Rabbi Natan Margalit Science and Torah: Ancient Wisdom for Healing the Earth Sep 26, 2022

Rabbi Natan Margalit, the author of the newly released book, The Pearl and the Flame, has an answer. The problem, he believes, is not understanding the connectedness of all things—people, plants, animals, and the natural world. His solution is to integrate our vast and valuable scientific knowledge about complex systems with the ancient wisdom of the Torah (the Hebrew Bible). In this fascinating conversation, Natan shares his spiritual journey, which eventually led him to become a rabbi, educator, and environmental activist. We cover many topics, sharing hopeful ways to move forward in our highly fragmented and polarized times.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Growing up in a Sex Cult with former Army Captain Daniella Mestyanek Young Sep 19, 2022

Daniella Mestyanek Young is a strong, courageous woman who has written the memoir, Uncultured. This fascinating interview will be of interest to anyone born into an authoritarian cult, to women everywhere, to anyone who served in the military as well as anyone who wants to read about the incredible journey. Daniella was trained to obey orders in a cult that regularly raped children, endured hours of corporal punishment, ran away at age 15, became valedictorian, became an Army intelligence captain, and is working towards a Masters degree in Organizational Development and Change at Harvard.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Exposing Cult Propagandists with Jeffrey Augustine Sep 12, 2022

Jeffrey Augustine is an investigative journalistwhose blog,The Scientology Money Project, covers Scientology's money, crimes, lies, and legal matters. Augustine covers Scientology in real time and offers in-depth analysis, legal and governmental documents, and court cases. Augustine reports on the pervasive culture of white-collar criminality and financial scams within Scientology perpetrated by its members, in addition to Scientology's cover-ups or rapes and child molestation. He is a former Pentecostal who has researched Massimo Introvigne, head of Cesnur.org, and outs him as a cult propagandist along with a host of other sociologists who say brainwashing does not exist and don't trust former members or critics. This interview is fascinating, especially for all interested in disinformation messaging, cults, and academics.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Invisible Storm: A Soldier’s Memoir of Politics and PTSD with Jason Kander Sep 05, 2022

Jason Kander’s new book significantly contributes to mental health, particularly to military folks walking around with undiagnosed PTSD. He is a former Army Captain and rising political star–yes, he was invited to the White House to meet with President Obama, who encouraged him to run for President. Jason realized that he had been suffering from classic PTSD symptoms for ten years and needed to stop everything and get help. He stepped out of political life, is a devoted husband and father, and has been working to help veterans. Jason’s previous best-selling book was Outside the Wire. He hosts the Majority 54 podcast. Jason is truly fascinating and inspiring, and I believe you will find this conversation fascinating.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Ira Chaleff Discusses the Importance of Courageous Followership and Intelligent Disobedience Aug 29, 2022

Named one of the “100 best minds on leadership” by Leadership Excellence magazine, Ira Chaleff has a lot of positive, constructive things to guide people. I loved his books, Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told To Do Is Wrong, and The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders. At this time in world history, Chaleff has a lot of important wisdom to help people realign with their values and empower them to act with integrity. His program to teach children to Think, Blink, Choice, and Voice will help empower children to speak up if they are being pressured to do something wrong. Join me for this fascinating discussion.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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The New Apostolic Reformation is facing rifts from Trump prophecies - Fred Clarkson and André Gagné Aug 22, 2022

There are an estimated 40 million Americans and approximately 650 million people worldwide involved with Pentecostal/ Charismatic groups led by a prophet or apostle who claims to get direct revelations from God. Most of these fulfill the BITE model of Authoritarian Control criteria. Some of these folks see themselves as “spiritual warriors” and are convinced other people who wish to have human rights (women who wish to have control of their bodies, gay marriage, and reject theocracy) are satanic/ demonic forces. Dr. André Gagné, professor in theological studies at Concordia University (Montréal) teams up for this interview with Frederick Clarkson, Senior Research Analyst at Political Research Associates who has been reporting on the rise of the theocratic Christian Right for four decades.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Netflix’s “Bad Vegan” shows how Celebrity Restaurateur, Sarma Melngailis was Hypnotized by a Predator Aug 15, 2022

A frank discussion on the subject of the Netflix docu-series Bad Vegan. One-on-one coercive control is what this story was about! Sarma co-founded Pure Food and Wine restaurant in NYC and founded the raw vegan brand, One Lucky Duck. The series failed utterly by not explaining how predators operate, or how hypnosis can be used to elicit obedience and induce amnesia. In this case, large sums were drained from Sarma's business, and both she and her predator were jailed at Rikers Island, prosecuted as if both had criminal intent. This episode is for anyone wishing to understand how an educated, intelligent woman's business and life were obliterated via years-long grooming and mind control. All the evidence was there but prosecutors IMPO did not wish to investigate what really happened.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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Alzheimer's, Dementia and on being wise consumers: A conversation with Germaine Odenheimer, M.D. Aug 08, 2022

Germaine is a Geriatric Neurologist, Professor Emeritus at OU College of Medicine. Her career has been devoted to people with dementia and their caregiver. She became a caregiver for her mother with dementia. She was recruited to Oklahoma University College of Medicine to develop a geriatric curriculum for medical students and focused her teaching on recognizing and caring for people with cognitive impairments. She required all her medical students to participate in Alzheimer's support groups. As the population ages in America, more and more people are suffering from severe cognitive impairments. While there is a great deal of research, Dr. Odenheimer warns us that caveat emptor: buyer beware.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com

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An Expert on Addiction and critic of 12 Step Programs: A conversation with Lance Dodes MD Aug 01, 2022

Lance Dodes, M.D. is a retired assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He has been the Director of the substance abuse treatment unit of Harvard’s McLean Hospital, Director of the Alcoholism Treatment Unit at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (now part of Massachusetts General Hospital), and Director of the Boston Center for Problem Gambling. He is the author or co-author of many journal articles and book chapters about the psychology of addiction and the author of three books: The Heart of Addiction (HarperCollins, 2002), Breaking Addiction: A 7-Step Handbook for Ending Any Addiction (HarperCollins, 2011), and The Sober Truth: Debunking the Bad Science Behind 12-Step Programs and the Rehab Industry (Beacon Press, 2014; senior author). This fascinating exchange helps to challenge the idea of a “disease” model of addiction and offers his decades of experience helping people overcome the compulsion underlying most addictions.

Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com.

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Lone-Actor Terrorism: A discussion with Jacob Holzer M.D. Jul 25, 2022

Dr. Holzer was co-editor of the Oxford University textbook entitled Lone-Actor Terrorism: An Integrated Framework. The book is a scholarly endeavor to approach the complex subject from a variety of disciplines. I contributed a chapter titled, Understanding Online Indoctrination, with my coauthors, Jon Caven-Atack, Mansi Shah, and Simron Malhotra. With hundreds of mass shootings as well as other violent terrorist acts, it is essential to not limit discussion to banning assault rifles as solutions will require far more robust approaches. Citizens, along with law enforcement, and intelligence officials will all need a more refined understanding of what can be done to make the world safer.

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Growing up in an Apocalyptic Cult: A conversation with Dr. Tricia Jenkins Jul 18, 2022

Tricia Jenkins, Ph.D. is a podcaster and professor of film, TV, and digital media at TCU in Fort Worth, TX. She is the author of three books including The CIA in Hollywood, as well as Superheroes, Movies, and the State. Her new podcast, Worldwide: The Unchosen Church, features stories about growing up in the Worldwide Church of God- a doomsday apocalyptic cult. We talk about issues facing children and second-generation members born into cults. Details about Herbert W. Armstrong’s authoritarian cult group, an influential Christian right group, and its history are fascinating.

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The Moon Cult: an interview with former top American leader Allen Tate Wood Jul 11, 2022

In the wake of the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe by the assassin Tetsuya Yamagami, we are posting this interview. The killer was reportedly angered because of Abe’s family’s support of the Unification Church - aka Moon organization. Wood was a major expert testifying to courts including before the Supreme Court. Allen Tate Wood a former American Leader of the group talks with Steven Hassan in this must-watch interview.

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Child-Centered Adoption: A Conversation with Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao Jul 04, 2022

Dr. Pavao is a psychologist, trained social worker, and licensed marriage and family therapist who is an internationally recognized expert in the field of adoption. An adoptee herself, she has been influential in moving adoption from a parent-centered process to a child-centered one. This in-depth interview is essential listening for all people who have been adopted, have a relationship with an adoptee, or have adopted a child. Open adoptions have become more commonplace and inexpensive DNA testing has allowed people to find biological relatives. But most people are not aware of the deep trauma that some children experience, even as grown adults. Mental health professionals, as well as teachers, will benefit from this fascinating discussion.

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The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): An In-Depth Discussion with Marsha Gilmer-Tullis Jun 27, 2022

Founded by John and Revé Walsh (America's Most Wanted), the National Center (NCMEC) is the major resource to help children in America. Marsha Gilmer Tullis is a trained social worker and the Vice President of Family Advocacy. For anyone truly interested in helping children who are abducted, being trafficked, or being abused, this non-profit is THE go-to resource. Their center has experts from the FB, to Immigration and is a fantastic entity that deserves not only praise and contributions but more public exposure for its good work. There are millions of people who have been mobilized to save children from exploitation. Everyone should know about this agency that has helped children and their families for decades.

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Understanding High Conflict and Proven Solutions with Amanda Ripley Jun 20, 2022

Amanda Ripley is the Co-Host of the Slate podcast How-To and is the best-selling author of High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We & The Unthinkable.' This book was so well researched and easy to read and so interesting that in all of her research, it pretty much aligns with my experience. This is a fascinating conversation and helps to identify patterns characteristic of high conflict. She gave practical advice on how we can take steps ourselves to lower the temperature, and realize there is complexity in every situation. When people operate out of All or nothing/ us vs them thinking, polarization takes place. Curiosity, respect, and listening to each other with the goal of reaching a solution work well. We need to come together to do real problem solving- NOW!

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Combating Sex Trafficking with Survivor and Attorney Carissa Phelps Jun 13, 2022

A leader in the anti-human trafficking movement, Carissa Phelps is a highly respected and impressive advocate to protect young people from pimps and traffickers. She has an MBA and JD from UCLA, had a documentary, Carissa, and a book, Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets One Helping Hand at a Time, and a company to help train survivors on how to educate and help victims. Carissa invited me to a law enforcement training and the first curriculum for survivors, championed by Rachel Thomas called Ending The Game was developed. If you care about helping to expose high-level traffickers, you must listen to this interview and understand the problem and what is being done.

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Fighting for Victims of Multi-level Marketing (MLMs) with Douglas Brooks Jun 06, 2022

Multi-level Marketing (MLMs) is a consumer protection challenge! The Direct Selling Association (DSA) is a powerful lobby influencing American politics. Attorney Douglas Brooks has championed victims of pyramid schemes and MLMs. We describe the critical things you need to know about to protect yourself and your loved ones. Are you concerned that Crypto uses the same formula as MLMs - buy into the “dream” of making a fortune? For creators and early adopters, yes, it is possible to make money. But not for the vast majority—they lose money and time and often relationships. A second 2-day Global virtual workshop will take place June 10/11. See mlmconference.com for speakers and recordings.

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The horror of school shootings and where we go from here with S.E. Cupp May 26, 2022

S.E. Cupp is a nationally syndicated political columnist, culture critic, author, and CNN political commentator. In this episode, we talk about the horrific recent school shooting in Texas and the root causes as we see them. She talks about how she used to repeat the same talking points as other Republicans and what can be done as a country to avoid these tragedies in the future. We talk about other political current events and how we maintain good mental health during these troubled times.

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The importance of election integrity with Jennifer Cohn May 23, 2022

Jennifer Cohn is a writer, journalist, and election integrity advocate. Since the 2016 election, she’s focused her professional efforts exclusively on investigating and exposing our country’s insecure computerized elections. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about her work and steps that all of us can take in our own communities to uphold the integrity of our elections.

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The NXIVM cult with whistleblowers Sarah Edmondson and Anthony “Nippy” Ames May 16, 2022

Sarah Edmondson and Anthony “Nippy” Ames are former members of the NXIVM cult but today are some of the most visible whistleblowers of the cult. They host the popular podcast “A Little Bit Culty,” and Sarah is the author of “Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life.” In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about NXIVM and the attributes we also find in other cults. We talk about human trafficking (what NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere was convicted of) and how intelligent, educated people can fall victim to a cult leader.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

Remember to subscribe to ALL the Meidas Media Podcasts:

MeidasTouch: https://pod.link/1510240831

Legal AF: https://pod.link/1580828595

The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://pod.link/1595408601

The Influence Continuum: https://pod.link/1603773245

Kremlin File: https://pod.link/1575837599

Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://pod.link/1530639447

Zoomed In: https://pod.link/1580828633

The Weekend Show: https://pod.link/1612691018

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Living Well and Dying Well with Judith Stevens-Long, Ph.D May 09, 2022

For this week’s episode, we’re focusing on the POSITIVE side of the Influence Continuum. I interview Judy Stevens-Long, Ph.D. Judy is a faculty emerita at Fielding Graduate University, where she served as Associate Dean for Curriculum Development from 2001-2008. She is an expert in developmental psychology and was my mentor for my doctoral program and oversaw my dissertation. Her research publications range from works on child development to work on death and dying. She is the author of “Living Well, Dying Well: A Guide to Choices, Costs, and Consequences” (with co-author Dohrea Bardell). In this episode, we talk about death, but this is not a depressing episode! We talk about living a full life and choices we can make to improve our lives and make death less daunting.

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4th Generation Warfare and The Christian Right with James Scaminaci III May 02, 2022

James Scaminaci III is an expert on 4th generation warfare. He has a Ph.D. from Stanford University in political sociology and is a retired US Navy Reserve intelligence officer. He was a senior civilian military intelligence analyst responsible for the Balkans and the former Soviet Union. Following the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s, from outside and inside the former Yugoslavia, James learned a great deal about how political and religious ideologies interact and combine into ethno-nationalist projects that delegitimize left-wing governing philosophies (that often end in genocide).

His expertise on 4th generation warfare has wide-reaching implications for today.

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The roots of racism in the Christian Right with John Collins Apr 25, 2022

John Collins grew up as “royalty” in the William Branham “Message” cult. He has worked tirelessly to understand and reveal its true history with the KKK and its influence on modern Pentecostalism today. He has authored two books and built an incredible website to expose the facts of this criminal, white supremacist, misogynistic cult. John helps us realize an essential part of American authoritarianism which to this day has an international following. By freeing himself from the mental and emotional damage he suffered as a child growing up in that atmosphere, he can help millions realize they were following a false prophet, believing they are just being “Christian.” There is a growing movement of people realizing it was really about power, money, sex and politics, and not religion. They are exiting and reclaiming their own “Freedom of Mind!”

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

Remember to subscribe to ALL the Meidas Media Podcasts:

MeidasTouch: https://pod.link/1510240831

Legal AF: https://pod.link/1580828595

The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://pod.link/1595408601

The Influence Continuum: https://pod.link/1603773245

Kremlin File: https://pod.link/1575837599

Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://pod.link/1530639447

Zoomed In: https://pod.link/1580828633

The Weekend Show: https://pod.link/1612691018

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How we Fight Human Trafficking With Paul Chang Apr 18, 2022

Paul Chang serves as a Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator at the U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division. In his 25+ years with the agency, Paul worked on some of the most notorious cases as an investigator and Assistant District Director. He’s developed numerous training materials and programs that also utilize my BITE Model and Influence Continuum. He has also been on a special assignment to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) since 2013 where he currently serves as the National Co-Chair of the Regional Network.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

Remember to subscribe to ALL the Meidas Media Podcasts:

MeidasTouch: https://pod.link/1510240831

Legal AF: https://pod.link/1580828595

The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://pod.link/1595408601

The Influence Continuum: https://pod.link/1603773245

Kremlin File: https://pod.link/1575837599

Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://pod.link/1530639447

Zoomed In: https://pod.link/1580828633

The Weekend Show: https://pod.link/1612691018

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Traditionalist ideology: From Ginni Thomas to Vladimir Putin Apr 11, 2022

n this episode, I interview Joe Szimhart. Joe is a cult information specialist I have known for decades. He is also an author and knows a great deal about psychology. Joe appears in the unearthed 1986 former member video I recently shared as a former CUT and Agni Yoga member. Like me, Joe is a former cult member who uses his experience to help others understand and reevaluate destructive cults. Joe and I talk about current events and cult behaviors we recognize all over the world. We talk about Clarence Thomas’s wife Ginni, her deprogrammer Kevin Garvey, Vladimir Putin, and the ideology that binds them.

For more of Joe’s work, visit his website: jszimhart.com

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Ginni Thomas’s Cultic Past Apr 02, 2022

A tweet thread I wrote about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s wife Ginni went VIRAL two days ago. I shared a video from 1986 few people have seen from a conference for former cult members. Ginni Thomas spoke in this video about her past experience in a cult. Ginni later went on to do a great deal of anti-cult work, but as is the case with so many former members, she joined a new authoritarian cult (The Cult of Trump). Steve is interviewed by Freedom of Mind’s own Dan McCollister about the issues surrounding Ginni Thomas.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

Remember to subscribe to ALL the Meidas Media Podcasts:

MeidasTouch: https://pod.link/1510240831

Legal AF: https://pod.link/1580828595

The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://pod.link/1595408601

The Influence Continuum: https://pod.link/1603773245

Kremlin File: https://pod.link/1575837599

Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://pod.link/1530639447

Zoomed In: https://pod.link/1580828633

The Weekend Show: https://pod.link/1612691018

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Mind Control Used on Indigenous People to Colonize Them with Dr. Cindy Blackstock Mar 28, 2022

Dr. Cindy Blackstock is Gixtan native in Canada, Professor of Social Work at McGill University, and Executive Director of First Nations Child & Family Caring Society. I collaborated with Dr. Blackstock for the presentation “Mind Control and Colonization.” With her help, I’ve come to realize that the same mind control I’ve studied for 45+ years exerted by cult leaders has unquestionably been exerted and is still exerted on Indigenous People. In this fascinating conversation, we talk about this vital issue through this underreported lens.

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Mental Health and Forensics: Psychiatry and the Law with Dr. Thomas Gutheil Mar 21, 2022

Dr. Thomas Gutheil is an internationally known forensic psychiatrist and author of over 300 publications. He is a Professor of Psychiatry and co-founder of the Program in Psychiatry and the Law (PIPATL) associated with Harvard Medical School. In this interview, we talk about how he got interested in psychiatry, what makes a mentoring relationship ethical and successful, and most importantly, his help in helping to establish a clear understanding of undue influence which can be used to promote justice.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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Christian Dominionism with Frederick Clarkson Mar 14, 2022

Frederick Clarkson is one of the foremost experts on Christian Dominionism in the United States (“Dominionism” is the theocratic idea that Christians are called by God to exercise dominion over every aspect of society by taking control of political and cultural institutions). Fred is a journalist and the author of the classic "Eternal Hostility: The Struggle Between Theocracy and Democracy." He broke the story of Project Blitz, a coalition of conservative Christian groups working to enact Dominionist legislation in state & local legislatures across the U.S., and helped set up BlitzWatch.org to monitor, track, and defeat attempts by Christian Nationalists to implement their distorted view of religious freedom. In this interview, we talk about the contemporary politics of Dominionism. We talk about how we got here and why Dominionists are exerting so much power and influence in public life.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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Terrorism expert Anne Speckhard on ISIS and White Supremacy Mar 07, 2022

Anne Speckhard is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University's Medical School in Washington D.C. Her research focuses on developing counter-terrorism initiatives and understanding the motivations of terrorists. In this talk, we discuss what ISIS members and white supremacists have in common and how effective counterterrorism efforts use psychology.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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Using Social Psychology to teach heroism with Matthew Winkler Feb 28, 2022

Matthew Winkler Is the program manager for the Heroic Imagination Project. Founded by seminal social psychologist Philip Zimbardo (Stanford Prison Experiment), The Heroic Imagination Project provides training for individuals and groups using groundbreaking scientific research and experiential training workshops.

Matthew Winkler has taught and mentored teenagers at middle schools, high schools, and colleges in New York, New England, China, and Japan. His viral TED-Ed video “What Makes a Hero,” snowballed into his first book “Mentoring Teenage Heroes: The Hero’s Journey of Adolescence.”

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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Conspiracy Theories and how to talk to people who’ve become lost in them with debunker Mick West Feb 21, 2022

Mick West is a science writer, skeptical investigator, and creator of the websites Contrail Science and Metabunk. West investigates and debunks pseudoscientific claims and conspiracy theories such as chemtrails and UFO’s. To help people out of these dead ends, he advocates a kind, patient approach similar to my Strategic Interactive Approach. His first book is Escaping the Rabbit Hole: How to Debunk Conspiracy Theories Using Facts, Logic, and Respect.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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The Jehovah's Witnesses Cult with Mark and Kimberly O'Donnell Feb 14, 2022

Mark and Kimberly O'Donnell are former Jehovah's Witnesses who’ve become some of the loudest whistleblowers of the cult. They were prominently featured in the Vice Documentary “The Crusaders,” highlighting rampant child sexual abuse in the cult. They continue to speak out today and work with former members working to recover from undue influence.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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Terrorists are cult members with Malcolm Nance Feb 07, 2022

Malcolm Nance was a career counterterrorism and intelligence officer for the U.S. government’s Special Operations, Homeland Security, and Intelligence agencies. He has over 33 years of experience combating radical extremism. While researching Al-Qaeda, Nance referenced my BITE Model in his book, Defeating ISIS. He (accurately) labels ISIS a terrorist “cult.” His latest book is They Want to Kill Americans: The Militias, Terrorists, and Deranged Ideology of the Trump Insurgency. Nance is a frequent media contributor and counterterrorism analyst.

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Positively influencing your kids with parenting expert Molly Brown Koch Feb 02, 2022

Molly Brown Koch has been leading parenting workshops for over 60 years. She is the author of the award-winning book, “27 Secrets to Raising Amazing Children.” When I was about to become a parent, I read this book and have been relying on its wisdom for many years. At 94 years young, Koch has been a respected voice on ethical parenting for decades. In this conversation, she highlights her main ideas about parenting and shares interesting stories from her past. I have been recommending this book to second-generation former cult members in my work. I do this because when they read it, they realize what healthy parenting should have been and it helps them for their future with their children.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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Opening Minds, and The Cult of Scientology with leading authority Jon Atack Jan 31, 2022

Jon Atack is generally acknowledged as the world's leading authority on the cult of Scientology. He spent nine years in the cult, training as an 'auditor' and becoming 'OT V.’ He’s the author of the definitive biography of Ron Hubbard, “Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky.” His new book "Opening Minds," is a must-read that helps explain undue influence and in particular, how to protect yourself from predators.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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“The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump” and the censorship of mental health experts in the media with Dr. Bandy X. Lee Jan 26, 2022

Dr. Bandy Lee is a forensic psychiatrist and a renowned expert on violence. Dr. Lee taught at Yale and Yale Law School from 2003-2020 and became known to the public by leading a group of mental health experts in breaking the silence about the dangerous mental impairments of Donald Trump. She edited the book “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump,” with 37 experts weighing in on their concerns about Trump. She’s been heavily censored in the media due to the American Psychiatric Association citing “The Goldwater Rule”, but they are a private institution and have power only over their members. Dr. Lee is not a member. Nevertheless, Dr. Lee believes that all medical professionals have a “duty to warn.” In this fascinating conversation, we talk about a wide range of topics. She too believes that trained mental health professionals are a valued resource in the media and are not called on to help the public enough.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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The cult of Mormonism with excommunicated whistleblower Dr. John Dehlin Jan 24, 2022

John Dehlin is a 6th generation member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). He is an American psychologist, podcast host, and excommunicated member of the Mormon church. He was excommunicated by the church for speaking out in support of gay rights. Dehlin is the host of the popular “Mormon Stories” podcast, a podcast he created in 2005.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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The ethical side of the influence continuum! How to harness positive influence in your life and the life of others with Dr. Laurence Sugarman. Jan 19, 2022

In this episode, Steve shares a paradigm shift taking place in mind-body medicine. He talks with pediatrician and Research Professor and Director of the Center for Applied Psychophysiology and Self-regulation (CAPS) at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Laurence Sugarman M.D. Sugarman talks about a new conceptualization of mind-body healing and hypnotic approaches one can use to improve their own life or the life of others. He proposes a new model of healthcare that differs greatly from our disease-based system.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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How we got here; the history of right-wing extremism and the groups and themes still with us today with Dave Troy Jan 17, 2022

Dave Troy is a disinformation researcher, tech-entrepreneur, TEDxMidAtlantic curator, and data visualization expert. In this episode, he takes us on a journey through American history-starting in the Great Depression and spanning all the way to today. We learn how extremist groups like the John Birch Society have pushed for very specific monetary policy in America and how this intersects with oil company money and the current cryptocurrency movement.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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Dr. Robert Jay Lifton on current affairs and the importance of survivors telling their stories Jan 12, 2022

On today’s episode, Dr. Hassan interviews Dr. Robert Jay Lifton, author of the seminal 1961 book, “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” about Chinese brainwashing programs under Mao. Dr. Lifton, now 95 years old, mentored Hassan starting in 1976 and it was his 8 criteria of thought reform or mind control that was the foundation for all subsequent work.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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Introduction to the Influence Continuum Jan 10, 2022

In this episode, Dr. Steven Hassan will introduce himself and will bring you up to speed on what brought him to study, write, and help people out of destructive mind-control cults for the last 45 years. While there are many podcasts by former members, Hassan is unique as a cult survivor, and mental health expert, with 45 years of field experience. He’ll preview what the podcast will be about and guests he will interview.

Learn more about Dr. Steven Hassan's work and find more resources at his website FreedomOfMind.com.

Follow Dr. Hassan on Twitter here.

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